Liackman scored a unique prize in being awarded with a two-day surf camp to be held at Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre (HPC) at Casuarina beach on the NSW far north coast.

All expenses associated with participation in the surf camp – including air travel, accommodation at the facility, meals and coaching fees will be covered by nib. 

“I’ve training pretty hard coming up to the event. I won the trials for it so I was super stoked to come in as top seed and take the win," Liackman said. 

"Super tricky conditions and super grindy at the end and it was close but I’m happy to get the win.

“I’m really keen to get up to the HPC and it will be such a good experience."

The Sanbah Cadet Cup comprised three divisions – boys 16 years and under, boys 14 years and under, and girls 16 years and under.

The unique format allowed each competitor to surf two rounds, accumulating points before the top surfers progressed to the finals.

This contest format ensures competitors get maximum contest experience from the event.

Port Kembla's Charli Hurst won the girls division, while Dom Thomas claimed the 14 years boys title. 

Meanwhile, St Francis Xavier's girls team finished second in the Go Kindy High Schools Team Challenge last week at Merewether. 

The Hamilton school ended up 3.1 points behind winners St Peters Catholic College Tuggerah at the end of the two-day event. 

Swansea High School were the best of the Hunter schools in the boys competition, finishing in fourth. 

Twenty-five high schools entered a total of 57 teams in the Surfest competition. 

CHARLESTOWN Swim Club finished inside the top 10 at the recent 2019 NSW Country Championships.

A squad of 11 competed at the event and helped the squad finish ninth out of 70 competing clubs.

Club coach Karen Leth said many of the club's competitors achieved personal best times in their events.

“Some went one better, recording times fast enough to qualify for national competition,” he said.

They included Aden Searant, 18, who took out silver in the 50m backstroke; Charlie Walker, 14, who claimed bronze in the 200m backstroke and 400m individual medley; and Kelsey van Eldick, 13, who did not win a medal but her times in the 100m and 200m breaststroke meant she qualified for national competition.

Charlie’s younger brother, Alex, 11, is too young to compete at national level, but showed his future potential with gold medals in the 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

Other members of included: Nathaniel Dean, Adelle Austin, Zachary Renshaw, Demi Parsons, Charles Walker, Hallie Boucher, Breanna James and Brodie Wright.