Falloon wins ironman in run up beach

STANDOUT: Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club’s Lachie Falloon won the open ironman and the open ski at the eastern regional surf lifesaving carnival put together at short notice at Mt Maunganui on Saturday. His performances were a highlight of the event.File picture by Paul Rickard

Waikanae surf athlete Lachie Falloon was the standout Gisborne performer at the eastern regional lifeguard competition run at Mt Maunganui on Saturday.

About 130 young surf athletes from eight clubs in the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Gisborne regions took part in the day-long event.

“It was a very good carnival, which we ran in two separate areas at the Mount, to keep within the Covid gathering requirements,” Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern regional sport manager Sonia Keepa said.

“The male and female athletes competed in their own separate arenas.

“They were so so happy and grateful to have an event staged for them after last week’s cancellation of the New Zealand championships in Christchurch.”

Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae head coach Cory Hutchings said Lachie Falloon’s wins in the open ironman and open ski were highlights of the day.

“It was pretty close racing,” he said.

“Lachie won the ironman in the run up the beach.

“Nathan Proctor raced well for us, too, consistently in the top five in his events, and Chloe Kapene was another to compete strongly. She won the beach sprint.”

Hutchings said the small, tricky swell made for testing competition.

“Overall, it was a good event, and all the Gisborne athletes did well.”

Keepa said Dawson Building Midway’s Yahni Brown, who won the under-15 ski, was one of their best performers.

“Sophie Petro also raced well for Midway.”

The event was a good hit-out for the Gisborne athletes in the New Zealand selection carnival in Auckland next weekend.