Gold medals the highlight for Gisborne clubs

The beach sprint. Picture by Keepa Digital

A trio of gold medals to Waikanae's Jack Keepa and four golds to Midway's junior surf athletes were highlights for Gisborne clubs competing at the Bay of Plenty surf lifesaving championships in Ōpōtiki last weekend.

Keepa was the only Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae athlete competing but he made every post a winner.

He won gold in the u19 ironman, surf race and board race.

“Jack had an awesome run-out at the champs,” said Waikanae club manager Clara Wilson.

“He dominated across all his disciplines and showed some good speed and skill at this early stage of the season.

“He is now gearing up with more of our crew for the Whangamata Classic and the invitational event next weekend.”

Keepa competed in the senior championships on Saturday.

The Dawson Building Midway crew had a successful day in the junior championships on Sunday.

Sam Mathews won gold in the under-12 diamond and silver in the u12 board.

Indi Nikora won gold in the u12 beach flags and bronze in the u12 board and surf races.

Lilla Hain won gold in the u13 beach flags and bronze in the beach sprint.

Riley Knight, Max Gaddum, Jess McIntyre and Gabby Searle won gold in the u14 mixed beach relay.

Midway competitors came home with a good stack of other medals too: Tom Hain, bronze in u11 beach flags; Blake Taylor, bronze in u11 board; Zane Taylor, silver in u13 board; Brooke Matthews, bronze in u14 board; Jess McIntyre, bronze in u14 beach flags; and Gabby Searle, bronze in u14 beach sprint.

“The junior crew raced out of their skins and picked up some solid results across the board,” said Midway head coach Jack Gavin.

“It was very pleasing to see their hard work paying off early in the season.”

Gavin said it was positive to see results coming in across all age-groups and disciplines.

“It's exciting for the future of Midway's surf sports programme,” he said.

“Special mention to all of our first-time surf athletes who stepped up to the challenging conditions and came away from the day with big smiles and lots of lessons.

“A big thank-you goes out to our managers, officials and parents for their help in a great day on the beach.”

Riversun Wainui's Zoe Keepa won a silver in the run-swim-run, and a bronze in the surf race.