The Oceans 26 junior surf lifesaving carnival at Pāpāmoa Beach lived up to its billing as one of fun and fierce competition. Midway's Noah Atkins and Thomas Waide are among the action in this run-swim-run race. Photo / Jamie Troughton – Dscribe Media Services
The Oceans 26 junior surf lifesaving carnival at Pāpāmoa Beach lived up to its billing as one of fun and fierce competition. Midway's Noah Atkins and Thomas Waide are among the action in this run-swim-run race. Photo / Jamie Troughton – Dscribe Media Services
Midway enjoyed a weekend of silver success, including one of the blue-ribbon relay events, at the Oceans 26 junior surf lifesaving championships at Pāpāmoa Beach.
The only gold medals won by Gisborne clubs over the four days of the under-14 national carnival were in the board races on Friday –Riversun Wainui athletes Indy Williams and Eva Summerlee and Dawson Building Midway’s Blake Taylor winning the finals in their respective age groups.
Blake Taylor was a powerhouse for his club, including winning gold in the Under-14 boys' board race. Photo / Dominic Gasparich
Midway collected five silver medals over the weekend.
On Saturday, Noah Atkins, Benjamin Thorpe and Thomas Waide combined to place second in the 11-12 years boys’ board relay.
Midway had more success in the run-swim-run with silver medals to Zoe Gardner (Under-12 girls), Maisie Thorpe (U11 girls) and Blake Taylor (U14 boys). Bree Barclay (U13 girls) was fourth in her final.
In the diamond finals on Sunday, Blake Taylor (U14 boys) was fifth, Wainui’s Alyvia Williams (U13 girls) fifth, Benjamin Thorpe (U12 boys) fourth, Thomas Waide (U12 boys) fifth, Zoe Gardner (U12 girls) fourth and Maisie Thorpe (U11 girls) fourth.
Midway produced a tremendous finale to their carnival when they took silver in the U11-12yrs mixed Grand Cameron Relay out of 50 teams.
The Midway crew were Toby Wallace, Zoe Gardner, Thomas Waide, Lucy Spence, Noah Atkins and Maisie Thorpe in the relay, which comprised a run leg, two swim legs, two board legs and a sprint to the finish.
Lucy Spence (centre) and Maisie Thorpe (back) were part of Midway's silver medal-winning team in the U11-12yrs mixed Grand Cameron relay at Oceans 26. Photo / Jamie Troughton – Dscribe Media Services
Wainui’s team finished a creditable fifth in that final.
Midway were eighth in the U13-14 mixed Grand Cameron Relay featuring 59 teams.
Midway head coach Jack Gavin said it was an amazing few days for the Midway “groms”.
“We had so many top-five performances across nearly every age group gender, which shows the strength of our junior squad.
“I’m especially proud of the kids for gritting their teeth in the flat conditions and coming away with solid performances across the weekend.”
The performance of Midway's under-14 female brigade augurs well for the future. Pictured are Sophia Castles (left), Charli Willoughby, Celia Willoughby, Sophie Phelps, Bella Barclay and Charlotte Grey. Photo / Dominic Gasparich
He made “special mention” of their silver medal-winning Grand Cameron Relay team.
Gavin gave “a huge thanks” to Miah Thorpe, Rachel Matthews and Greg Akroyd for being Midway’s officials for the weekend.
“They are all leading the way in this space and allow us to race on the beach.”
Wainui head coach Dion Williams said it was an “unreal” four days for his team.
“Our Wainui team were fantastic. We had amazing highlights in the board wins to Indy and Eva, but our kids were oh so close to more medals as well, with lots of fourth and fifth places.
“Our board relay teams and the U12 Grand Cameron result were awesome.
Wainui's fifth place out of 50 teams in the Grand Cameron Relay was among the club's highlights, with Hannah Hudson (pictured) part of the relay team. Photo / Dominic Gasparich
“This year we had fewer medals than previous few years, but more of the kids in there racing so well and always in with a chance. I’m very proud of our team, every single one of them. They absolutely gave it their best and had fun.
“Special thanks to Stella Smith, Klara Pauwells and Ava Smith for helping me coach the kids for the championships.
Wainui U13 competitor Xavier Booker gave it everything for his club across the four days. Photo / Jamie Troughton – Dscribe Media Services
“Our mums and dads, too, who put hands up to help be officials at Oceans – in particular Tracey Konig – and lastly our parents, who were a great help and great company.”
Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae head coach Arna Majstrovic said their crew had the best time with their mates, racing shoulder-to-shoulder with other clubbies and forging new connections with kids from around the country.
“Our kids raced with admirable positivity and passion and really stood up at a national level, exceeding their expectations of themselves.
“Aurelia Ryan made her board final and came 12th in a super-fast final. Josie Keast raced so well and Tylar Dear was fifth in her run-swim-run final and sixth in the diamond.
Tylar Dear was one of the standouts for Waikanae. She raced hard throughout the carnival. Photo / Jamie Troughton - Dscribe Media Services
“Emmie Fitzharris-Stevens, Tyson Puddick, Kosta Damiris and Ran Ryan also raced well.”
Oceans 26 is the country’s biggest junior surfing lifesaving carnival, this year featuring more than 700 athletes.
It was hosted by Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club after being shifted from Mount Maunganui for the first time in 25 years following the fatal landslide at Mauao last month.
