Up to 1-metre-high surf provided testing conditions for the 90 or so surf lifesavers who contested the Champion of the Bays at Midway on Saturday. Photo / Keepa Digital
Midway were clear victors in the Champion of the Bays and Gisborne Surf Lifesaving Championships on their home beach at the weekend.
The carnival started on Friday afternoon with beach events and continued into Saturday and Sunday morning with ocean events.
The Dawson Building Midway team amassed 360 points to win the Champion of the Bays trophy and retain the Ralph Morse Shield as the overall Gisborne champs.
Outside clubs took part in the Champions of the Bay. Waimarama, from Hawke’s Bay, were second on 261 points and Pāpāmoa, from the Bay of Plenty, were third on 242.
Hawke’s Bay Ocean Beach Kiwi were fourth on 93 points, Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae were fifth on 84 and Riversun Wainui sixth on 61.
Competitors from Westshore, Waihī and Ōtaki also competed.
Midway head coach Jack Gavin said it was another great weekend for their senior crew.
“I was impressed with the attitude and effort they all showed across the weekend. Although the fields were small, the quality was high, which was good to see.
“They raced well in the team events and kept mistakes to a minimum. The whole squad can be proud of their achievements.”
Midway’s Tyron Evans was one of the standouts in the carnival, with wins in the open men’s surf race, ski, ironman and board.
Clubmate Sam Matthews was similarly impressive in the under-15 races.
He won the diamond (iron), board and ski races in his age group.
Waikanae’s club manager Clara Wilson said their small team performed well on a “stunning weekend with surf, sun and hard transitions”.
Waikanae coach Arna Majstrovic said the Gisborne town beaches were similar to Ōhope where the New Zealand titles were being held in early March, “so it was great to see what we can improve on for nationals”.
“On the sand track, we had some standout performances from Georgie Beaufoy with a first in the under-17 sprint and second in the open. Pippa Holden got third in the under-15 beach flags and Clancy Ryan also gained third in the under-15 sprint.”
Majstrovic said fitness was tested in back-to-back ocean races on Saturday.
“We were really proud of the resilience and guts demonstrated in their racing, learning along the way.”
She singled out Ryan, who was third overall in his age group, and Tessa Webb, who she said raced well all weekend.
“Pippa Holden had an epic weekend with first in the under-15 board race and second in both the diamond and surf race.”
She was second overall in her age group.
“Rounding it off, Zach Ferkins was second in the men’s ski.
“Overall we are building a positive culture in the club and look forward to a month of hard work until nationals.”
Wainui head coach Dion Williams said it was a “great two days of racing” for his small crew.
“Good-quality opposition and great conditions brought out the best in our athletes, with two overall age group winners in Mako Fukushima-Hall (U17), and Betsy Findlay (U15), who showed we are doing good things for our members.
“Beach flags was a highlight, with brothers Rori and Mako finishing first and second in a very close, well-raced final round.”
Williams said Zyanja Rudge had a fantastic swim in the U17 surf race. She led for much of the race, only to be overtaken in the sprint up the beach to the finish to come fourth.
“Betsy won the beach flags, the beach sprints and placed in the ski and diamond - a great performance from her in her first year in the senior ranks.
“Mako and Rori raced well in the ocean as well, [with] good placings in ski, board and ironman.
“Overall it was a great carnival and our team are laying the foundations for years to come.”
SLSNZ’s Eastern Region sport manager Sonia Keepa, in her last carnival in that role, said it was “fantastic” to have outside clubs travel to support the event.
“They provided the opportunity for the surf athletes to have a good quality hit-out of racing before they head to [the] nationals in four weeks.
“The standard of racing was extremely high and showcases the healthy state of surf lifesaving sport. It was encouraging and of a super high standard.”
Keepa has started a new job with the Department of Conservation and Midway spoke highly of her contribution on the club’s Facebook page.
“Huge thanks to every single person who supported on and off the sand all weekend - officials, volunteers, parents, coaches, and our amazing athletes,” the club said. “But most of all they wouldn’t happen at all in the way they do without the ‘GOAT’ Sonia Keepa. Thank you Sonia for all you have done for us at Midway, for the sport, the region and for being just a fantastic human.”
Majstrovic said: “A big thank you to Sonia Keepa and her team. We’re sad to see Sonia leaving ... she’s been so amazing for the sport.”
Williams said: “Sonia has been amazing for our members, club, and the whole region, ensuring we all have a fantastic experience in all areas of our sport. We want to say thank you and we appreciate you and wish you all the best in your new endeavours.”