Oceans 19 entry tops 850

OCEANS LOOM: A total of 58 Gisborne surf athletes aged 10 to 14 will travel to Mount Maunganui next week for their New Zealand championships. Midway’s Jodiesha Kirkpatrick will be among those pushing for medals. Picture by Paul Rickard

SURF LIFESAVING

NEARLY 60 junior surf athletes from Gisborne will be among more than 850 athletes taking part in the Oceans 19 New Zealand junior championships that start next week at Mount Maunganui.

The premier New Zealand surf lifesaving event for athletes aged 10 to 14 runs from Thursday to Sunday.

It is one of the biggest events on the Surf Life Saving New Zealand calendar.

“The youth event aims to teach kids important surf safety skills through sport with the aim of them all becoming qualified surf lifeguards one day,” event manager Matt Warren said.

“These kids are our lifeguards in training. They are working up the fitness and skills to be fully qualified surf lifeguards at 14 years old.

“This event brings them all together in a fun, safe, competitive environment.”

The 857 athletes entered will travel from as far south as Dunedin and from as far north as Ruakaka near Whangarei.

Mount Maunganui won overall top club status at Oceans 18 with 46 points, followed by Lyall Bay, 40, and Whakatane, 28.

Waikanae finished seventh with 22 points, Midway 10th with 16 and Wainui 23rd with three.

Midway will have 29 athletes competing next week, Wainui 11 and Waikanae 18.

This district has some strong medal chances.

The Gisborne clubs’ prospects will be previewed in the Herald on Wednesday.

“Last year’s champions, Mount Maunganui, are no doubt keen to replicate their result and hold on to the Oceans title,” Warren said.

“Mount Maunganui have a really strong sport programme, so they will be the ones to watch.

“However, a lot of clubs around the country have spent a lot of time preparing for this so we’re sure the Mount team will be pushed the entire weekend.

“It’s definitely shaping up to be one of the most exciting Oceans yet.”