Midway's Blake Taylor competed strongly at Oceans 25 and looks set to be a serious contender in his events this year. Photo / Jamie Troughton: Dscribe Media
National medals beckon for more than 50 of Gisborne’s young surf lifesavers at the Oceans 26 carnival which starts on Thursday at Pāpāmoa.
The championships were moved from Mount Maunganui to further along the Bay of Plenty coast after the landslip campground tragedy.
Oceans 26 will see more than 750 under-14 surf athletes compete over four days.
“The youngsters bring colour, noise and energy to the Bay of Plenty,” Surf Life Saving NZ sport general manager Zac Franich.
“They will take on a wide mix of surf lifesaving disciplines, including swimming, board paddling, beach sprints, flags, team relays and surf races.
“Junior surf is one of the best ways we build capable, confident lifesavers.”
Dawson Building Midway will have 26 athletes competing
“Our junior squad has been looking forward to this weekend all season,” said head coach Jack Gavin. “They’ve all been training very hard so I’m excited to see how they go.
“Blake Taylor will be one to watch in the under-14 boys, as he’s been showing some real potential through the season and training hard,” Gavin said.
“We also have some strong under-14 girls in Charlotte Willoughby, Sophie Phelps, Charlotte Grey and Sophia Castles.
“Together those girls should feature in the under-14 team events.
“Noah Aitken will be looking for some strong results in the under-12 boys’ board race.
“We also have some strong contenders in our youngest age group, the under-11s, in Jai Sutton, Lucy Spence, Eli Grey and Maisy Thorpe.”
Riversun Wainui have 23 excited youngsters involved.
“It’s our second-biggest team ever and our lead-up has been great. Everyone is ready,” head coach Dion Williams said.
“Our team expectations are to try your hardest always, have fun doing it, and make three new friends each day of the competition.
“Results take care of themselves when going your hardest,” he said.
Wainui will be without the talented Brooke Williams this year.
She won three New Zealand titles in the under-12s last year, but is still recovering from a serious knee injury sustained last year playing touch.
Day one will feature surf race swims first up.
“Alyvia Williams is a gun in the waves and body surfing and she could upset the straight pool swimmers if the waves hang in there till then,” coach Williams said.
“Tyler Sheldrake is another in the boys who swims fantastic. He’s always a chance. Likewise, Charlie Kirikino-Hooks, who was third in the Eastern Regionals [junior champs] in the surf race.
“All our kids will race the event, and our swimming clubs train them in the pool to such a high standard that they all could do well.”
The diamond (swim and board) heats are next up.
“All our kids are entered in that, too, so we are going to have a busy morning,” Williams said.
The afternoon will comprise beach sprints and relays.
“Who knows what magic could happen? Our kids all have a shot of making a final, then we’ve got tube rescues for the under-14s, so a massive opening day.”
Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae’s “mighty wee team” are excited to be putting their toes on the start line, according to coaches Max Neustroski, Arna Majstrovic and Emily Gillies.
“We are stoked with their progress. The crew have put so much time, effort and dedication into a summer packed with training, learning, pushing their boundaries and building confidence to become the very best version of themselves.”
In their final year as juniors, Aurelia Ryan and Josie Keast will be throwing themselves into every event.
“Both are talented girls who have consistently put in the mahi with fantastic attitudes.
“In the u11 and u12 grommies, we have Tylar Dear and Emmie Fitzharris-Stevens, who both had a very successful Oceans event last year and have worked hard to emulate that this year.
“Our debutants for 2026 are Kosta Damiris, Ran Ryan and Tyson Puddick, three boys who have showed up all summer with big grins and determination and have improved beyond recognition.
“It’s exciting to see them experience Oceans for the first time.
“We’ve all really enjoyed watching them grow in confidence, becoming more capable, skilled and resilient humans, all while having a stack of fun and forging friendships that will last a lifetime.
“These awesome kids will, one day, be our next generation of volunteer lifeguards and seeing the commitment they are already showing at 10 to 14 years of age, the community will be in pretty good hands.”