Gisborne’s Waikanae strike gold at North Island IRB champs

Waikanae's open and Under-19 men's crews had a great weekend at the North Island IRB Championships at Papamoa. Pictured are Taran Wilson (left), Hamish Swann, Michaela Clearwater, Oliver Shivnan and Connor Mitchell. Photo / Jamie Troughton-Dscribe Media

Waikanae’s inflatable rescue boat crews came home with six gold medals after dominating two divisions of the North Island IRB championships at Pāpāmoa at the weekend.

Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae, with three crews, amassed 66 points across the titles to finish fifth overall out of two dozen clubs.

Sunset Beach SLSC from Port Waikato continued their fine record of success by winning top club on 150 points.

Waikanae were in terrific form in the open men’s and Under-19 men’s divisions.

Waikanae took out the mixed teams' title in style. Pictured are Taran Wilson (left), Oliver Shivnan and Hamish Swann. Photo / Jamie Troughton-Dscribe Media

Connor Mitchell, crewman Oliver Shivnan and patient Michaela Clearwater won the open men’s single rescue and mass rescue titles, got silver in the tube rescue and bronze in the assembly race.

The U19 men’s crew of Hamish Swann (driver), Taran Wilson and Clearwater won the single rescue, tube rescue and assembly, and were second in the mass rescue.

The combined Waikanae team of Mitchell, Shivnan, Swann, Wilson and Clearwater won the mixed teams' title.

Waikanae on their way to victory in the team's race. Photo / Jamie Troughton

The club’s crew of Eric Clearwater, Rodney Richards and Michelle Mitchell won silver and two bronze medals in the newly formed masters division.

“It was a fantastic result overall to see our crews performing so well at the highest level,” Waikanae’s IRB head coach Connor Mitchell said.

“For a small club, we are absolute high performers ... the result at the weekend is a great boost three weeks out from our New Zealand championships to be held at Waipu Cove in Northland.”