Set to take on the Mount Monster

TACKLING ‘MONSTER': Christy Tate leaves the surf ski and sprints through the shallows in the surf lifesaving rep challenge last summer. She and Georgie Pitkethley will compete as an under-19 team in the Mount Monster endurance event at Mount Maunganui tomorrow. File picture by Paul Rickard

A SMALL group of Gisborne surf lifesaving athletes will take on the Mount Monster endurance event at Mount Maunganui tomorrow and some of them should feature at or near the front of their age-group field.

The gruelling multi-discipline event for under-19, open and veteran competitors comprises a 12-kilometre surf ski leg, a 5km run on the beach, a 1.5km swim and a 6km board paddle along the Bay of Plenty coastline.

A Mini Mount Monster will also be run. That comprises a swim, board paddle and run.

Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae will have five athletes in action — Nathan Proctor and Lachie Falloon in the under-19 men's division, Christy Tate and Georgie Pitkethley as an under-19 women's team, and Michelle Mitchell in the veterans' division.

'I would rate Nathan Proctor as our likely standout competitor for this event,' club spokeswoman Michelle Mitchell said.

'Nathan's been proving in training that he is a really good endurance athlete.'

Last year Tate and Pitkethley competed in a team of four who won the under-19 women's team section for the second year in a row.

They could find the going tougher this year as a team of two.

Dawson Building Midway will have three athletes taking part tomorrow.

'Jacob Corrin will contest the under-19 men's section, Matt Parker the open men, and Danielle Scott the open women,' club head coach Matt Sutton said.

'The aim for Jacob and Matt will be to finish the tough course.

'Danielle, on the other hand, will hope to be near the front of the women's field. She's a very good endurance athlete.'

Riversun Wainui will have three athletes on the start line tomorrow.

'Jack Keepa and Jonte Evans will take on the under-19 men's field,' club coach Dion Williams said.

'They're young guys doing it for the first time. They're fit, strong and good at each leg. I reckon they've got a good chance of doing well.'

Charlie Keepa will compete in the Mini Mount Monster for under-14-year-olds.

'Charlie is another one who is just learning her craft,' Williams said.

'But she's practising all the right things and if it comes off for her she could do really well.'

The mini event for the young athletes gets under way at 8am tomorrow, and the full Monster, at 10am.