Gisborne surf lifesavers in the medals at North Island IRB champs

Waikanae's squad who competed at the North Island IRB Championships at the weekend gave a good account of themselves in winning four gold and three silver medals.

Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae IRB crews snapped up a bag of gold at the North Island inflatable rescue boat championships at a “wild and windy” Paekākāriki near Wellington over the weekend.

Connor Mitchell (driver) and Oliver Shivnan (crew) won gold medals in the open tube rescue and assembly races with Lucas Thompson as their patient.

They also won the single rescue with Aengus Bettridge as patient and picked up silver in the open mass rescue.

Waikanae won gold in the open teams’ event - Mitchell and Shivnan teaming up with Hamish Swann (driver) and Taran Wilson.

It was described as a “super-fast, exhilarating” race.

“In a small but highly skilled open division, Connor and Oli were dominant,” Waikanae manager Clara Wilson said.

“With fewer teams in the open and masters sections, the decision was made to run a round robin system, with points across all three rounds deciding the placings, meaning a lot of races for teams with little margin for error.”

Swann and Wilson, who had a stellar season in the under-19 division last year, moved into the U23s this season.

“They gained valuable experience and race practice against much older and more experienced competitors,” Clara Wilson said.

“They came away with silver medals in the mass rescue with patients Michaela Clearwater and Oliver Shivnan and assembly rescue with Michaela, along with the gold in the teams’ event with the open crew.”

In the masters division, driver Rodney Richards, Eric Clearwater and patient Mitch Mitchell battled hard.

“They lodged some creditable performances in really tough, choppy conditions,” Wilson said. “They were unlucky not to come away with a podium finish. They continue to improve and look forward to racing again at the nationals.”

U19 men’s team members Felix Macalister and Ashar McKnight (crew) produced some promising racing for their first competition experience.

“Repechage races allowed extra opportunities for them to practice their skills and get a feel for the different events,” Wilson said. “The boys raced with heart all weekend and were stoked to make the final of the tube rescue event.”

Clubs travelled from all over the country for the championships.

“A big thank you to the SLSNZ (Surf Life Saving NZ) team and the Paekakariki SLSC for putting on such a great event, to our boat handlers and to the awesome family support over the weekend.

“We’re now all very excited to be hosting the IRB national championships on our home beach at the end of March.

“IRB sport is an amazing and exhilarating spectator sport and we’re looking forward to showcasing the skill, speed and agility of our crews in these amazing rescue craft.”