Four big days ahead for juniors

CLOSE RACING: Athletes compete at the 2017 Oceans event. Over 800 junior surf lifesavers are expected at Orewa for four days from tomorrow to Sunday. Picture supplied

GISBORNE junior surf lifesavers will be among over 800 athletes taking part in the Under-14 New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships at Orewa Beach from tomorrow to Sunday.

The championships, dubbed Oceans 18, encourage young surf lifeguard trainees to take part and become more skilled as they grow towards becoming qualified lifeguards.

With 829 athletes from 45 clubs entered will take part in events that imitate a real-life rescue. They include board rescues, beach sprints and swimming for competitors aged 10 and older. They are split into under-11, u12, u13 and u14 age groups.

Clubs from as far south as Dunedin and as far north as Ruakaka (north of Whangarei) will be represented.

Midway have the biggest Gisborne team going to the championships.

“We have a team of 22 and are strongly represented over all four age groups,” Midway coach Jared Phelps said.

“After the cancellation of the Eastern Regional Championships this month, the team are fizzing to get up to Auckland and race.

“The kids have trained well over the summer under the guidance of coaches Jess Blakeman and Olivia Corrin.

“There have been some very impressive performances over the season, which bodes well leading into the big one.

“At this age, it is important that the kids are having fun racing, hanging out with friends, and meeting new people. If they are having fun, the good performances will come naturally.”

Waikanae coach Cory Hutchings said a small but high-quality team would go from Waikanae to Oceans 18.

“It was disappointing that the Eastern Regional Champs had to be cancelled this year due to bad weather,” he said.

“It has meant a long break between race days but our clubbies are keen and ready to go.

“They’ve put in the hard work over the past four months and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can bring on competition day.”

Wainui would have 11 junior surf athletes at Oceans 18, one of the Wainui coaches, Sonia Keepa, said.

“The team have been committed to training towards this since November last year,” she said.

“We have been working through skills, technique, speed and fitness to get them in peak physical and mental condition.

“Oceans is a fantastic event for the juniors. From it, the kids learn about the training and commitment required to go through the surf lifesaving pathways.

“Our juniors move through to senior ranks once they turn 14 and are able to sit their Surf Lifeguard Award. They can then give back to the community with their clubs on volunteer beach patrol. They are also able to step up to the next level of surf sports where amazing opportunities can open up.”