Whangamata surf boat crew wins class honours

North Beach Surf Club open men's crew from Christchurch finishes in top spot during the second round of Surf Boat Series at Whangamata on Saturday. Supplied photo.

Over 40 teams from around New Zealand competed in brutal conditions at the second round of the Surf Boat Series at the Whangamata Surf Boat Spectacular on Saturday.

With persistent and often heavy rain, two meter swells and a cold, strong wind, competitors faced huge challenges.

Class honours in the under-23-year-old men's class went to the local crew from Whangamata, while Muriwai claimed first for the women.

The under-19-year-old class wins went to Titahi Bay and Orewa Surf Life Saving Club for the men's and women's classes respectively.

North Beach Surf Club, of Christchurch, finished in the top spot in the open men's class in a stunning final race, while the open women's winners win went to the Piha Surf Life Saving Club feeling "a bit sore" after their massive effort.

The final class, the Masters Men's class, was taken out by the Fitzroy Surf Lifesaving Club from New Plymouth.

Event organiser, Clare Gatenby, said: "The weather made things really tough out there so
congratulations to all of the teams that took part. There was a little bit of damage to oars, and boats out there today but overall, everyone's happy about how the day went."

Ms Gatenby said safety was number one priority and officials shortened the event and
moved it slightly down the beach to a more sheltered area.

They still consider the event a success because each class was still able to have multiple races, she said.
"And of course we have to say thank you to our lifeguards, event volunteers and officials who were also out there in the conditions helping competitors that fell into the water and spectators on the beach. They all did an amazing job to get through the tough conditions," Ms Gatenby.

The event doubled as the final selection round for team's vying for a spot to represent Ne
Zealand in a trans-Tasman event held at Shellharbour in Australia during February.

The successful teams are set to be announced shortly.