Midway head coach Jack Gavin said they had been training hard and were excited to be racing against big, strong fields.
“Although they would love some big swell, the squad have put in the work so they won’t mind the flatter surf conditions forecast,” he said.
Tyron Evans will be one to watch.
“Tyron has had a strong start to the season and will be looking to solidify dominance in the under-19 age group,” Gavin said.
“Angus Blair is another, also in the u19 age group, who has been swimming really well. In the past month or so he has had a slight shift of focus to surf, which has seen him come on strong on the board and in ironman racing.”
Yahni Brown will be another standout.
“Yahni’s been dominant all season in the u17 men’s age group and will look to continue his form, aiming for the podium in all facets on the water,” Gavin said.
“Sophie Petro will look to continue her form as a top contender in the ironwoman in the u19, ski and board.
“She has been super-consistent at training and often leads the way for the girls in our squad.
“Ella Sutton, as always, will be in the hunt for all water events. She hates losing, so we will look to see her out-tough her competition.”
Gavin said Emily Petro and Jacqueline Kennedy were his “dark horses”.
“Emily’s board paddling has been going from strength to strength and she has put in the work on ski, which will make her a force in the u17 board race and ironwoman,” Gavin said.
“Jac’s ski paddling has been boosted by some extra kayaking, so she will look to feature strongly in the ski race and have a crack at the board too.”
Alex Bermingham looms as another standout.
“It’s great to have an experienced ski paddle racer with the crew again,” Gavin said.
“Alex is a great leader for our young squad and will look to feature strongly in the open women’s ski events.”
Kaiaponi Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club has seven athletes heading for the Mount this weekend.
Club manager Clara Wilson said sprinters Oska Smith, Briana Irving and Georgie Beaufoy, trained by Arna Majstrovic, would be aiming for medals in the beach events. All three had built well and looked strong.
“We’re gutted that Seven Mapu, who has been tracking so well lately, has had to pull out with an injury,” Wilson said.
“On the ocean, Max Phillips and Georgie Beaufoy have a full race card and will look to do well in the surf, board and iron/diamond races.
“Sam Ferkins, Christy Tate and Kendra Tate will paddle ski in the open divisions and will be hoping for strong performances.
“Our water athletes have been training well under Max Neustroski in his first season as head coach.
“Max has brought an incredible energy to the group. His enthusiasm is infectious.
“With the new composite teams being allowed this year, we’re hoping our athletes get a good run in some team events too.”
Riversun Wainui will have athletes in action at the ERCs for the first time in a couple of years and head coach Dion Williams is “stoked” about it.
Mako Fukushima-Hall, competing in the u15 division, will contest the diamond, the board race, surf race and beach flags. He has been a promising junior athlete for several years.
“This will be Mako’s first ERCs and I’m very excited to see how he will go,” Williams said.
“He shines in big waves, so we’re hoping to get some surf.”
Nikau Rudge will compete in u17 events.
“Nikau is a top swimmer from Enterprise who has just recently joined our club and this is his first ERC carnival too,” Williams said.
“He’ll do the surf race and the beach events, and team up with Mako in the board rescue.”
Theo Weatherley will do the u19 beach events and the surf race.
“It’s been a lot of hard work to bring them through the juniors, and this is the beginning of all that hard work coming to fruition at a senior competition level,” Williams said.
“I’m very well pleased . . . stoked!”
