The Kempsey-Crescent Head Masters 160s crew's perfect season has continued, as they claimed the Team of the Year honour at the Mid North Coast Branch Awards of Excellence held at Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday night.
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As a result the crew is now in the running to be picked as Team of the Year for the state at the annual NSW Surf Life Saving awards night held in Sydney in August.
The crew, which competes in the Masters 180s at state and national events but Masters 160s in the North Coast Surf Boat Series, won gold at the Australian Surf Rowers League, the NSW Championships and Australian Championships and finished the North Coast Surf Boat Series undefeated.
The Masters 180s bested 11 opponents at the prestigious Australian Surf Rowers League in Cronulla in February this year before they backed the effort up on the Gold Coast to take out another gold medal in the Australian titles.
The achievement is remarkable when you consider the difficult conditions the crew faced at the various competitions.
The crew will head to the awards night with confidence, as they expect to add another achievement to their long list of accomplishments for 2019.
"We are hoping to win it and quietly confident we will do so," crew member Mick Conomos told the Argus.
"When you consider what we have achieved this year; a season of undefeated racing, which includes gold in three major titles, it makes it hard for a team to beat us."
The crew of Stu Henderson, Simon Tamblyn, Mick Conomos, Austin Northey and sweep Gavin Burkes were honoured to receive the award from the Mid North Coast Branch.
"It was a pretty good feeling. It's a great reward for the hard work we have put in," Conomos said.
"To win the award against teams from every possible discipline in Surf Life Saving is quite special."
The Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Life Saving club also had Craig Schweikert receive the training officers award.
The club stalwart is responsible for training anyone who is pursuing a certificates such as the Bronze Medallion and IRB Driver.
Each Surf Life Saving club within the Mid North Coast branch can nominate a person or group for each award on the Excellence night.
A panel of judges determines the winner, as will be the case for the state awards.
Conomos claims the crew will continue to compete into next year and attempt to defend their titles at the prestigious events.
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