Sun, sand and inspiration

It wasn't the hardest thing Lester Phelps has done in the last six years, but it was a close second.

The 52-year-old Omanu partial tetraplegic turned in one of the gutsiest efforts at the national masters surf lifesaving championships in Mount Maunganui yesterday, completing the run-swim-run, the surf race and the board race.

It was the latter event that left him shaking his head, however, after an agonising paddle out through the waves and back.

"I got there in the end - it's the second hardest thing I've ever done since I got out of the spinal unit," Phelps said. "Getting to the top of the Mount with my daughter was the hardest - it took us hours - but those are the goals you set yourself when you're overcoming injuries or health problems."

Phelps injured himself surfing at Matakana Island in 2005. He was rescued by his son and nephew, but now walks slowly and with a limp and suffers numbness from his neck to his toes.

Getting back out into the water and competing was an important step, however.

"A few of the Omanu masters were encouraging me to get back out there and it's coming up six years since the accident, so I thought I'd give it a crack and see how it went.

"I've spent a lot of time in the ocean since but nothing like this. I stayed within my own comfort zone and they let me start in the water in the swim races, which helped. It's such a fabulous family-orientated sport, a healthy environment and it's been great to be back today."

Super senior Sid Salek was also out breaking new ground, just two weeks away from his 81st birthday.

Salek completed a massive day, taking part in the surf race, run-swim-run, the beach sprint and the beach flags.

"It's taken me the best part of 60 years but this was the first time I've finally figured out how to just have fun in an event, instead of worrying about age-group records or not finishing last," Salek said.

"It was pretty tough competing in that age-group because it only goes up to 70+ and people don't realise how much the body and mind can deteriorate after 75. But I had a lot of fun today - I'm really glad I did it."

Not surprisingly, with a huge contingent, Omanu reclaimed the overall club title, finishing 66 points clear of rivals Mairangi Bay in Mount Maunganui.

National coach Scott Bartlett won the 30-39 age-group honours, taking home the surf race and run-swim-run titles, while former national mountainbiking champion Jon Hume won the 40-49 ranks.

Papamoa's Naomi Davoren was too strong in the 30-39 women's section, however, helping her club finish third overall.

South Brighton's Malcolm MacDonald won the 30-39 sprint double, winning both the sprint and the flags, while Waikanae's Debbie Hutchings did the same in the women's 30-39 division.

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