Bunbury's beachgoers in the best hands

It was sweet 16 for the City of Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club, who won their 16th-consecutive Country Club Championships title at Fremantle on Saturday.

Bunbury, who were named Surf Life Saving Australia’s Club of the Year in 2011, amassed a total of 902 at the event — 478 points ahead of the Secret Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club who finished second.

Thirteen country-based surf clubs from around WA battled it out to be named 2011-2012 champions across all surf disciplines in very hot and humid conditions.

Bunbury’s total was the highest in the event’s 21-year history.

City of Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club’s director of surf sport Denise Duncan praised the organisation’s discipline and dedicated athletes.

She said that all age categories from the club had starred, from junior to masters competitors.

‘‘Over the past four years the club has focussed on and strived for excellence in all areas of the club which includes the club’s structured surf sports program,’’ she said.

‘‘Surf sports is one of the key components in the surf life saving movement and this together with a passion for voluntarily patrolling, saving lives and preventing injury on our Bunbury beaches is what make our club what it is today.’’

Surf Life Saving WA sport and events coordinator Chris Inglis said it was important to have strong clubs in regional WA.

He also said Bunbury had set the benchmark in surf sports.

‘‘They’ve consistently built on their surf sports team and have achieved results each year,’’ he said.

‘‘Each year they’ve retained and grown their membership base in the surf sports area which is a tribute to their continuing success.’’