Competition attracts

FUN WEEKEND: The loss of the New Zealand surf lifesaving championships due to Covid for the second year in a row was a big blow to the movement’s young athletes. For 80 of them, though, events in Gisborne at the weekend were loads of fun. Included were the inaugural Gizzy Grinder run/swim/craft race, won by Waikanae’s Jack Keepa, and an ironman “eliminator” event at Midway. Pictures by Keepa Digital

MORE than 80 athletes from surf lifesaving clubs across the eastern region enjoyed a big weekend of competition in Gisborne.

It was a replacement event for the cancelled 2022 Surf Life Saving New Zealand national championships.

The nationals were to have been held in Christchurch over the weekend but were cancelled due to Covid.

Eight clubs — Whangamata, Waihi, Mt Maunganui, Omanu, Papamoa, Whakatane, Waikanae and Midway — had athletes taking part in the Gisborne competition instead.

“On Friday afternoon athletes competed either individually or as part of a team in the inaugural Gizzy Grinder,” eastern region surf lifesaving sport manager Sonia Keepa said.

The race incorporated a run, bridge jump, swim, board and ski, she said.

It was likened to a small-scale Coolangatta Gold endurance race, held across the Turanganui River, Waikanae and Midway beaches, and Turanganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay.

“Teams were greeted with a magic Midway day for Saturday's ‘Iron Eliminator', beach flags, and teams challenge events,” Keepa said.

“Clear blue skies and two feet of clean swell made for fun conditions throughout the day.”

The “Iron Eliminator” was modelled on the Nutri-Grain elimination event in Australia.

The Team Relays Challenge after lunch began with run-swim, board-run, ski-run and rescue relays contested across two rounds over the afternoon.

Keepa said clubs used the opportunity to mix experienced athletes with younger team members to allow mentoring of race skills.

On Sunday, the paddleboard competition was held at Wainui to make the most of surf conditions.

“Teams were formulated and with the help of Gisborne Boardriders Club members Andrew McCulloch, Kieran Grealish, Glen Sutton, and Matt and Jack Long, a tag-team format was implemented,” Keepa said.

Some outstanding boardriding and big-surf skills were on show, with “awesome” hooting and encouragement coming from the beach.

Keepa thanked all those who helped realise the idea of the event format and contributed to making the weekend competition happen.

She paid tribute to the athletes, who — despite the difficulties of the past two years, with both national championships cancelled — had refused to get down about it.

“They have continued to show up, train, commit and encourage their peers to be part of an amazing sport and community,” Keepa said.

She thanked the clubs, coaches and parents for their support.

Results —

Gizzy Grinder — Open male: Jack Keepa (Waikanae) 1; Jacob Corrin (Midway) 2; Yahni Brown (Midway) 3.

Open female: Maddison Greetham (Omanu) 1; Trelise Chote (Papamoa) 2; Georgia Davoren (Papamoa) 3.

Male Iron Eliminator: Jack Keepa (Waikanae) 1; Daniel Hart (Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service MMLS) 2; Braith Swanberg (Omanu) 3. Female Iron Eliminator: Sophie Petro (Midway) 1; Maddison Greetham (Omanu) 2; Olivia Marshall (MMLS) 3.