Masters to raise curtain on nationals

READY TO RACE: Around 300 of the country's older lifeguards will come out to play tomorrow when the masters competition opens the four-day TSB New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships at Midway Beach. Predicted metre-plus waves should provide for some surf action, particularly for the large craft events like the surf canoe and boat. Wainui will have three canoe crews involved, among them (from left) Matt Logan, Jason Low, Salvatore Zame and Andrew Reid. Picture by Paul Rickard

The country's masters-aged surf lifeguards hit the water and sand at Midway Beach tomorrow to start the TSB New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships.

Predicted metre-plus surf and cool southerly winds will make for a challenging day for the close to 300 guards ranging in age brackets from 30s to 80s.

More than 50 of the men and women taking part are from the Gisborne clubs.

Dawson Building Midway will have 25 in action, Riversun Wainui 14 and Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae will have 13 in action,

“We're doing everything from beach flags to ironman racing,” said Midway head coach Matt Sutton, who will compete for the first time in masters events.

The 37-year-old former international was runner-up in the open ironman at the nationals four times during his competition career.

“I'm hoping to go one placing better tomorrow,” he said.

The likes of Jared Phelps, Andy Kinsella, Phil Matthews and Sam Gavin will also be in action for the club.

“We're doing it because it's at Midway and we've got such a good group of parents involved in the club who want to have a go,” said Sutton.

Waikanae stalwart Debbie Hutchings will be in action in the beach arena where she has dominated the sprints and flags for many years.

“We've also got two men's canoe teams, Adam Tait is back on a single ski and on a double ski with Scott Pitkethley,” said Waikanae club spokeswoman Michelle “Mitch” Mitchell,

“Fletcher Pickett is going to swim. He hasn't been in the masters competition for some time, so that's great.”

Mitchell is a regular masters contender but will not be lining up this year because of injury.

Wainui will be well represented by the likes of Sonia Keepa — the regional club development officer, who featured near the top in her age group last year.

“I'll give it a go on both land and sea, with a smile on my face,” Sonia said.

Seventy-plusser Bruce Gledhill will be doing some events, including the surf race, run-swim-run and beach events.

The club will also have three canoe teams competing — a men's crew and two women's crews — and they should give a good account of themselves.

Competition starts at 8.30am tomorrow. Omanu are defending the overall points title. They and Mount Maunganui dominated last year at the Mount.