High hopes for Waikanae and Wainui at IRB nationals

AIR TIME: The Gisborne teams competing at the New Zealand IRB championships this weekend at Waihi will be getting some serious ‘air time’ with storm conditions expected. Pictures supplied

Waikanae and Wainui surf lifesavers will get amongst the action at the IRB national championships at Waihi Beach this weekend.

They’ll be among more than 120 crews vying for national honours across three age divisions and five race categories in the BP-sponsored event.

The four-team Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae contingent will go into the national championships on the back of a sterling performance at the North Island IRB championships at Waipu Cove.

In that carnival the Waikanae crews earned a highly creditable second place on points behind the dominant IRB (inflatable rescue boat) club in the country at present — Sunset Beach from the Waikato.

The Waikanae teams came home from that event with a stack of gold, silver and bronze medals.

In the national championships at Mahia last year, Waikanae finished a close fourth on the overall points table, only four points behind third.

Given their performance in the North Island event two weeks ago they would seem to stand a good chance of gaining an overall podium finish this weekend.

Open men’s driver Connor Mitchell and crewman Oliver Shivnan have been ever-present in IRB racing since they took it up several seasons ago.

They are definite gold medal contenders.

The Waikanae open women’s team of Britta Carroll (driver) and crewperson Ana Naden are another combination to be watched.

They have proven themselves to be fast and well drilled.

Harry Allan (driver) and Travis Mitchell, racing in the under-23 division, made the top level of the podium at Waipu Cove, and will be a handful for the other gold medal aspirants.

Hamish Swann and Taran Wilson race together in the u19s, and also have medal chances.

“Our crews performed exceptionally well at the North Island titles, despite our worst summer ever for training,” said Waikanae IRB leader Connor Mitchell.

“We are targeting a podium finish for overall points this weekend.”

Despite their low numbers compared with other clubs, they had real quality in the team, and everyone pulled their weight in their age divisions, Mitchell said.

Storm conditions were expected this weekend, but IRBs could operate in just about anything, he said.

Riversun Wainui will contest their first senior lifesaving championship of the summer this weekend, with two crews in action at Waihi.

Former Waikanae duo Cole Williams and Sam Blackburne will be contenders in the u23 races.

They were consistent performers for Waikanae and should do well for Wainui.

Making their debut in IRB competition will be highly motivated Ruby Lobb and crewmate Silke McNaught, formerly from Waikanae, in the u19 female division.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand event manager Luke Smith said the sizeable swells predicted should produce plenty of action.

“We’re excited about the prospects for these championships.

“It should be a great chance for the crews taking part to showcase and test their skills in demanding surf conditions.”

The championships get under way at 8am on Saturday morning and run through until 3.30pm, with the same time frame on Sunday.