Leigh Sheldrake leads Gisborne charge at NZ masters surf lifesaving championships

Competitors in a ski race catch a wave at Midway Beach ytesterday in the curtain-raiser to the New Zealand surf lifesaving championships - the masters carnival. The nationals started in full force today and run to Sunday when the overall top club will be crowned. Spot the drone in this picture. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE seniors produced some sensational results in the New Zealand masters surf lifesaving championships yesterday at Midway, highlighted by the performance of Waikanae’s Leigh Sheldrake and a string of age group golds in the canoe.

Sheldrake (nee Webster), nicknamed Pocket Rocket in her New Zealand representative days, jumped on a board for the first time in 17 years to win the 40-44 years women’s board title in a great battle with former Gisborne woman Naomi Davoren of Papamoa.

Their duel was one of the stand-out contests of the day from a Gisborne perspective.

“It was intense and to race at that level again felt great,” said Sheldrake. “But you certainly don’t bounce back from it quite so quickly afterwards.”

The former New Zealand ironwoman champion also won gold in the run-swim-run and surf race in her age group, the double ski with Michelle Mitchell, the 130 years-plus board relay with Mitchell and Jane Pitkethley and the 130yrs-plus surf teams’ race with Mitchell and Debbie Hutchings.

“It was the first time in 17 years I’d jumped on a ski yesterday, too, but it’s a bit like riding a bike,” Sheldrake said.

Pitkethley won the 50-54yrs board title while Mitchell won the 45-49yrs ski.

The three Gisborne clubs dominated the canoe arena.

The Midway 160+ men’s crew of Mike Morrissey, Rob Fergus, Dean Moleta and Reid Scammell were unbeaten.

“It was good tight racing and it got tighter,” Morrissey said.

“We’re happy with where we’re at ahead of the club titles this weekend.”

Jake Holmes comes in for Scammell in those events.

The Wainui 180+ men’s crew of Matt Logan, Salve Zame, Jason Low and Andrew Reid won their age group in a tight series with a Waikanae crew.

“The boys paddled their tails off to win that final deciding race and we’re rapt.” Logan said.

Wainui 200+ not only won their devision, but out-pointed every other women's team racingThe Wainui 200+ women’s team of Moira Lee, Anelia Evans, Sophie Burns and Carolyn Hodgkinson not only won their division, but also out-pointed every other women’s team racing because all their age groups raced together.

“We’re going sweet ahead of the club champs,” Burns said.

“On the water I felt we were the strongest team today, so it will be interesting to see how we go against the younger teams today and tomorrow.”

Waikanae’s Debbie Hutchings won her 45-49yrs beach flags and sprint events.

The club’s 160+ women’s canoe team of Pitkethley, Tina Smallman, Kristina Williams and Nadine Weatherley took the gold medal in their age group.

Wainui’s Sonia Keepa won the 45-49yrs board and was second to Glover in the beach events.

Midway’s Rob Fergus won the 40-44 men’s beach sprint and flags titles.

Waikanae’s Adam Tate picked up bronze in the 45-49yrs ski and was third with Craig Morrison in the double ski.

Waikanae also won beach relay medals.