Junior clubbies to do battle at local champs

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The district's up and coming surf athletes contest the Gisborne/Tairawhiti junior championships at Midway Beach from 5.30 tonight.

Youngsters aged 7 to 14 years will be in action representing the Dawson Building Midway, Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae and Riversun Wainui clubs.

There will also be Bay of Plenty clubs competing.

“Entry numbers are up on last year, with 181 competitors from the three Gisborne clubs and Whakatane and Omanu,” said club development officer Sonia Keepa.

Competition begins on the sand track and flag pits at Midway.

“We also have the older age groups (13 -14) doing their rescue events, tube and board rescue.”

“Saturday will see all junior competitors move to the water arenas for a 9am start,” said Keepa.

“Weather and surf conditions are looking great.

“It's going to be very hot but swell and winds are perfect, with light offshore winds and a two-to-three-foot swell predicted for the weekend.”

The Gisborne clubs will battle out the points to find the top junior club.

“Individually the junior athletes will be gunning for points towards the overall age group winners placings.”

The event offers most of the events juniors will compete in at the Oceans 2020 next month.

“The champs this weekend are a stepping stone in the preparation to that end-of-season pinnacle event, held annually at Mt Maunganui,” said Keepa.