Gisborne surf lifeguards gear up for Mt Maunganui action tomorrow

RACING TOMORROW: About two dozen of the district’s surf lifeguards will race at Mt Maunganui tomorrow in an eastern regional carnival set up after the nationals were cancelled. It will provide important racing for those in next weekend’s New Zealand selection trials, where contenders will include Waikanae’s Jack Keepa and Briana Irving, and Midway’s Sophie Petro. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Surf lifeguards from the Waikanae and Midway clubs will be in action at Mt Maunganui tomorrow in a carnival staged to give them something to make up for the cancellation of the New Zealand championships.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand this week cancelled the nationals, which were to be staged in Christchurch next month.

The championships were called off because of the Covid “red traffic light” restrictions on gatherings.

Fourteen competitors from Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae and 10 from Dawson Building Midway are set to compete tomorrow.

The day's racing will include ironman, board, swim and beach events, and some team events.

The Waikanae contingent is expected to include Jack Keepa, Lachie Falloon, Seven Mapu, Briana Irving and Oska Smith, who will compete in the New Zealand team selection trials in Auckland next weekend.

“Tomorrow will give all our athletes something to get their teeth into, but it's especially good for those taking part in Auckland the following weekend,” Waikanae head coach Cory Hutchings said.

“Apart from the five New Zealand trialists, tomorrow will be a good day for our members who have trained hard all year.

“Well done to eastern regional SLSNZ sport manager Sonia Keepa for organising it.”

Midway will also have members taking part in the Auckland selection event next weekend.

“Angus Blair, Sophie Petro and Tyron Evans will be there, so tomorrow is an important opportunity for them to get some racing in,” Midway head coach Matt Sutton said.

“Jacob Corrin and Yahni Brown will race tomorrow and should do well.

“It's going to be great for all our crew there tomorrow.

“It's good they get to do something.

“It doesn't replace the nationals but at least it keeps them going.”

Riversun Wainui will not have anyone racing this weekend.

The Mount event will be open only to athletes from the eastern region clubs, which include those in the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Gisborne.