Surf Life Saving: Ōmanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club takes victory at Oceans 19 at Mount Maunganui

Imoggen Coffee, 13, competing as part of the Ōmanu team at the Oceans 19 event at Mount Maunganui. Photo / George Novak

Ōmanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club's prolific final day of the Oceans 19 competition put them at the top of the club standings to take victory at the premier Under 14 Surf Life Saving event.

The club finished 35 points clear of second-placed Mount Maunganui on the fourth and final day of the Under 14 National Surf Life Saving Championships yesterday. The event started on March 7 with challenges under way until Sunday. The points table was tight heading into the final day before Ōmanu blazed through the finals to take the win.

Ōmanu team captain, 14-year-old Lucy Bartlett, says she is pretty proud of her team's performances.

"We had to manage the cold on Saturday but the waves were nice to us. We put a lot of hard work in and our team culture is really good," Lucy says.

"We have good relationships with each other, we cheer each other on and we work really hard. The coaches are amazing, the club is very supportive and we have amazing parents with us as well."

Ōmanu club coach Simon Wills says they have a good crew and the squad has been hailed as one of the best.

"Our patron has been to all the Oceans events and he said it was the best team ever and I would agree. We went three years in a row at one stage, but this is our biggest points score."

Ōmanu began yesterday with victories in the Cameron and board relay events, which Wills says set the tone for the team and it flowed on from there.

"The team is of the individual goals they all set for the season. They all have different goals and abilities. It is great to win it, but we don't set out at start of year to win the overall points tally. We know if we do well it will a by product of them achieving their goals."

Wills is in his seventh year as the Ōmanu coach and the assistant coaches one his former charges – junior national representative Sophie Sanford.

"Being in this role, there is continuity in the coaching and the kids know what to expect," Wills says.

"Omanu is a good family club. We look after them and if we have good numbers training, it comes together. They will be the ones patrolling the beaches and keeping people safe."

Oceans 19 event manager Matt Warren says he is rapt with how the event played out.

"It was a great four days. The water cut up a bit rough on Friday and Saturday and then it was a stunning day for finals.

"What made it a good event was the attitude of the athletes and the supporters. They were all in the event to make sure everyone had a good positive experience. We also had a good team of volunteers. Clubs were out there to find winners, but also have that good experience. It can be hard to get that balance, but I think they got it right this weekend."

The event included more than 850 competitors from all over New Zealand and Warren says from talking to previous organisers, the skill level on show at Oceans had jumped in the past nine years since it started.

"The kids have increased their ability to read and handle waves as well as their fitness levels. That comes from the dedication of the clubs and the athletes themselves."

Oceans 19 results:
Ōmanu:103pts
Mount Maunganui: 68
Mairangi Bay: 25
Red Beach: 22
Waikanae: 22
Fitzroy: 18
Midway: 18
East End_ 16
Maranui: 14
Pāpāmoa: 13