Crews from Papamoa (left) and St Clair battle it out in the heavy Warrington waves at the BP Surf Rescue New Zealand Championships near Dunedin. Photo / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media Services
Crews from Papamoa (left) and St Clair battle it out in the heavy Warrington waves at the BP Surf Rescue New Zealand Championships near Dunedin. Photo / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media Services
Papamoa capped an emphatic IRB campaign at the BP Surf Rescue New Zealand Championships near Dunedin on Sunday with the club retaining the overall points trophy in style.
Papamoa's 32-point victory over East End was bolstered in the event-ending open teams race, as Papamoa crews finished first and second aheadof the Taranaki club's top team.
It is the first time Papamoa have won the teams' race, although coach Justin Martin won it with Wainui in 2007, with premier driver Kirby Wheeler sprinting to victory despite a heavily-strapped ankle.
"It's so hard to win the teams race but to finish one and two is just such a sweet feeling," Wheeler said. "Justin has worked us really hard this year and it's all paid off."
Papamoa dedicated their victory to Tauranga boy Jack Dixon, 5, who was swept off rocks near Mount Maunganui six months ago. Martin was one of the first IRB drivers on the scene, helping with the ultimately unsuccessful search efforts.
Westshore's Taylor Dick and Ryan Ennor confirmed their status as the nation's top under-21 crew, winning the single rescue title and taking overall honours, while Mitch Brady and Yannis Kokkosis (Papamoa) were the best senior team overall, despite clubmates Simon Malu and Nathan Smith winning the single rescue.
