Noosa surf rower Maddi Sandy competed in no less than 12 races at Saturday’s third round of the Australian Surf Rowers League’s Queensland Shortcourse Series at Marcoola.

After making it through the heats and semi-finals, Sandy helped the Noosa Headlines to a heart-stopping victory over Kurrawa and Mooloolaba in the under-23 women’s event.

She then stepped up in the under-19 men’s race – once again competing in the heats and a semi-final – to help out an understrength Noosa Heads Gutzas.

They continued their good form by easily winning their final ahead of Northcliffe and Alexandra Headland.

While some may have been intimidated by the prospect of mixing it with the boys, Sandy felt she more than held her own.

“One of the boys is sick, so I just filled in,” she said.

“We won by about three boat lengths. I think they’ve won nearly every race in all of the rounds.

“It’s amazing the difference in the pulling power in the guys compared to the girls, but it was a lot of fun.

“I stayed in time and didn’t make any silly mistakes, so that’s all that matters.”

However, Sandy’s under-19 final was not as clear-cut, with Noosa just holding out a determined Kurrawa outfit.

“Kurrawa ended up getting in front because we got smashed at the start, but around the cans we were neck and neck,” Sandy said.

“When we got to the beach we got a good turn around, got it home and won by the skin of our teeth.

“This is the first time we’ve had an under-23 final; most of the time we row with the open women.”

Sandy’s next competition will be the Australian league at Coffs Harbour.

The final round of the ASRL Queensland Shortcourse Series will be held at Broadbeach on December 20.

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