Battle of the Bays proves winning formula

BEACH CHALLENGE WINNERS: The Gisborne Intermediate team who won the Year 8 girls’ beach challenge in the two-day Battle of the Bays sports event held in Gisborne last week were (from left) Jodiesha Kirkpatrick, Chloe Kapene, Rubi Hart, Kassie Owen and Ruby Williams. Gisborne Intermediate organised the beach challenge, and Ilminster, the triathlon. Picture by Liam Clayton

The Gisborne-staged Battle of the Bays intermediate schools challenge continues to thrive.

Last Thursday, the beach challenge — organised by Gisborne Intermediate — had 150 students competing in teams of five.

“It just keeps getting bigger,” said Gisborne Intermediate deputy principal Brendon Hart, whose school provided seven of the teams.

On Friday, the triathlon — organised by Ilminster Intermediate — had 120 competitors.

“It was the largest field for years,” Ilminster principal Peter Ferris said.

Taking part in both sections of the event were intermediate schools from Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty — Gisborne and Ilminster intermediate schools, along with representatives from Taupo, Whakatane, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Otumoetai intermediates.

Hart said the event was a good opportunity to show off Gisborne beaches and hospitality.

“We billeted over 80 students over two nights with Gisborne families,” he said.

“The visitors were buzzing about being in Gisborne. Conditions at the beach were ideal, with a little bit of a wave to make it fun.”

The beach challenge is a surf lifesaving competition in which students either compete in teams for board paddling, swimming and beach relays, or gain points for their teams through their individual efforts in the beach flags.

Results —

Beach challenge — Year 7, girls: Mount Maunganui 1, Tauranga 2, Otumoetai 3. Boys: Otumoetai 1, Gisborne Intermediate 2, Mt Maunganui 3.

Year 8, girls: Gisborne Intermediate 1, Tauranga 2, Mt Maunganui 3. Boys: Mt Maunganui 1, Otumoetai 2, Gisborne Intermediate 3.

Triathlon — Overall points: Taupo 1, Whakatane 2, Otumoetai 3, Mt Maunganui 4, Gisborne Intermediate 5, Tauranga 6, Ilminster 7.

Individual results — Year 7, boys: Whakatane 1, Taupo 2, Mt Maunganui 3. Girls: Otumoetai 1, Gisborne Intermediate 2, Otumoetai 3.

Year 8, boys: Mt Maunganui 1, Taupo 2, Tauranga 3. Girls: Taupo 1, Tauranga 2, Gisborne Intermediate 3.

Teams — Year 7, boys: Otumoetai 1, Taupo 2, Mt Maunganui 3. Girls: Whakatane 1, Whakatane 2, Mt Maunganui 3.

Year 8, boys: Taupo 1, Whakatane 2, Mt Maunganui 3. Girls: Otumoetai 1, Mt Maunganui 2, Taupo 3.