Challenge accepted

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE: Members of all three Gisborne surf lifesaving clubs are represented in the BDO Gisborne Tairawhiti youth and open surf lifesaving teams competing in the New Zealand Regional Challenge at Mt Maunganui on Monday. The carnival follows the Eastern Region Championships, also at the Mount, starting tonight. The Gisborne Tairawhiti teams for the challenge are - BACK ROW (from left): Dave Corrin (manager), Yannis Kokkosis, Alex Bristow, Blake Brown, Joe Puddick, Jordan McLarin, Tom Hart, Sam Ferkins, Nick Proffit, Cole Williams, Sam Middleton, Callum Torrie, Quaid Thompson, Connor Mitchell, Harry Dods, Janine Swann of BDO. MIDDLE ROW: Sarah Lockwood, Holly Hope, Ella van Kregten, Casie Fyall, Briana Irving, Georgie Pitkethley, Christy Tate, Lauren Pickett, Danielle Scott, Ava Smith, Dion Williams (coach). FRONT ROW: Matt Proffit, Zach Ferkins, Ben Bristow, Dene Moleta, Olivia Corrin, Alex Bermingham, Jess Blakeman, Anabelle Higgins, James Blackburne, Louis Birkhead, Oliver Shivnan, Harry Allan. ABSENT: Matthew Scott, Courtney Hoskin, Ella Andrew, Ana Naden, Michelle Mitchell, Mitch Brady, Clayden Hope, Robbie Shrimpton, Samantha-Jane Harding, Hannah Simpson, Brooke Willock, Sam Blackburne and Brent Mitchell (canoe coach). Picture by Liam Clayton

ALL-local. All talented. All loving the prospect of taking on the country’s best.

A daunting task lies ahead of the two Gisborne Tairawhiti teams competing in the New Zealand Representative Challenge on Monday.

But the predominantly fresh-faced sides make up for their inexperience at this level with bucketloads of enthusiasm.

“They’re loving the idea of what they are going to get out of it,” said Dion Williams, who is coaching the open and youth (under-19) teams for the one-day event that follows the Eastern Region Championships at Mount Maunganui over the weekend.

Williams won’t have the likes of Black Fins world championship-winning squad members Laura Quilter, Cory Taylor or Chris Dawson — the latter pulling out because of swimming commitments after being named captain of the squad.

So the door has been opened for a number of potential stars of the future to get a taste of this higher-level competition.

Talent like 14-year-old Ava Smith, the youngest squad member, who is following the blazing surfing and surf lifesaving trails of older sisters Jasmine and Stella.

“It’s Ava’s first year, I think even at under-16 level, but I saw her race at the Gisborne champs and there was no doubt she was going to make the squad (youth team),” said Williams.

“It’s a high performance opportunity for them — to see how a rep team works, to race against the best and see how they go. It’s a good opportunity for the kids to grow.”

The unavailability of Taylor and Co lifts the responsibility level for the likes of Matt Scott, Olivia Corrin and Casie Fyall. All three have had international experience and will anchor the team in the one-day event run in two arenas — the ocean disciplines and beach events in one arena; the canoe and IRB races in the other.

Williams will be in charge of the teams in the first arena while Brent Mitchell will look after the canoe teams and open squad member Yannis Kokkosis the IRB crews.

Having the likes of Dene Moleta and Mitch Mitchell in the canoe teams adds valuable experience.

With waves of over a metre forecast, that nous will be vital.

Williams would be happy to see such surf conditions pan out, as Gisborne surf lifesavers like the tough stuff.

“I think the entire team is smiling about that (forecast),” he said.

Williams said the challenge would bring a climactic end to an intense weekend.

The only concern was how the athletes were feeling physically after the Eastern regionals.

Gisborne finished fourth in the open competition and third in the youth section at last year’s challenge.