Gisborne athletes do district proud at Oceans 18

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

ORGANISERS cancelled the final day of racing in the New Zealand Under-14 Surf Life Saving Championships scheduled for Orewa Beach yesterday.

Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service, points leaders at the end of Day 3, Saturday, were declared champion club. They had 46 points.

Lyall Bay were second on 40, Whakatane third on 28, Red Beach fourth on 26, and Mairangi Bay and Omanu fifth-equal on 23.

Waikanae were seventh on 22, Midway 10th on 16 and Wainui 23rd on three.

Over 800 athletes from 45 clubs took part in the event, dubbed Oceans 18.

Officials cancelled yesterday’s programme because the swell was such that they could not set up a course that ensured fair racing for all athletes.

On Saturday, strong onshore winds and big tides had continued to test competitors and organisers.

Despite the conditions, it was a golden day for many of the Gisborne athletes.

Waikanae’s Lachie Falloon continued his strong water performance to take gold in the prestigious under-14 boys’ diamond, a multi-discipline event combining surf swim, board paddle and run.

Wainui’s Jack Keepa, who had dominated the earlier rounds and semifinal, was just beaten out of a podium placing in a gutsy race for the finish line.

Midway juniors also had great success, with Sophie Petro taking out the u12 girls’ diamond and clubmate Jodiesha Kirkpatrick coming in second.

Due to the testing conditions and for the safety of the athletes, the u11 diamond event was cancelled.

Attention then turned to the beach events, where Waikanae continued their golden run with u13 speedster Jack Sadler running strongly for the gold in the u13 boys’ beach sprint.

Ollie Davies, also of Waikanae, placed second in the u14 boys’ beach sprint.