Surfing: Local champs to face test abroad

Ashley Cochrane is up for the challenge.

Three champion Western Bay surf lifesavers are in for a new sporting experience that will test their stamina to the limit.

Andrew Newton, 27, Sam Shergold, 20, (both Mount Maunganui) and Ashley Cochrane, 19, (Omanu) are part of the seven-strong Surfing New Zealand team competing at the ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship in Nicaragua from May 3-11.

This is the first time New Zealand has fielded prone paddlers at the event, in just its third year.

Newton, a multiple board racing champion, and Shergold have performed well for New Zealand at major surf lifesaving events, while Cochrane, 19, is a national title holder. But this is the first time they have been picked in a New Zealand surfing team.

Newton will take on the 5-6km technical race, Shergold the longer 18-20km distance race and Cochrane will compete in the women's technical race over 5-6km.

Newton says the crossover from lifesaving for such elite athletes has not been as difficult as people imagined. "This paddle boarding has not been too bad actually. The boards we will paddle on are only a foot and a half longer than our lifesaving ones, so that won't be too bad, but the difference is my race will be 40 minutes instead of four minutes.

"We have been doing a whole lot more mileage, doing 12km paddles and all that sort of stuff, in different conditions."

Getting confirmation, from Surfing New Zealand, he was in the team was a major buzz. "I thought I was in with a pretty good shot but when you finally get the confirmation you are in and knowing that you will get the opportunity to race for your country, and have NZ on your board and on your chest, nothing is quite as special as that."

As well as the three Western Bay surf lifesavers, the New Zealand team includes Daniel Kereopa (Raglan), Regan Fairlie (Tologa Bay), Alexis Poulter (Raglan) and Bruce Climo (Fiji).

A fundraising event for Newton and Shergold takes place at Mount Maunganui Surf Club from 6 tonight. All are welcome, door charge applies.