Whangamatā Classic draws big field

The likes of Midway’s Emily Petro and Waikanae’s Christy Tate will face the starter’s gun in the Whangamatā Classic surf lifesaving carnival on Saturday and Sunday, along with former Waikanae athletes Jack Keepa and Lachie Falloon. File pictures

Gisborne surf athletes will compete at their first big surf lifesaving carnival of the summer at Whangamatā this weekend.

About 20 of them will travel to the Bay of Plenty for the Whangamata Classic, which has attracted a field of 370 competitors from around the country.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern regional sport manager Sonia Keepa says some hot competition can be expected.

“On Saturday the carnival will involve a wide range of water and beach events, including the ironman,” she said.

“On Sunday two further events will be held — the Under-17 Regional Challenge and what they call ‘The Invitational’.”

Dawson Building Midway will have 15 competitors racing this weekend and Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae will have five.

The Midway contingent includes Sophie and Emily Petro, Jack Lepper, Tyron Evans, Ella Sutton, Yahni Brown, Jacob Corrin and Finn Cameron.

Waikanae’s crew will be Sam Ferkins and Christy Tate on the water, and their beach “hot rods” Briana Irving, Oska Smith and Seven Mapu.

Former Waikanae athletes Jack Keepa and Lachie Falloon, now competing for Omanu in the Bay of Plenty, will also race.

Next weekend Gisborne lifeguards will be among those lining up in the annual “Mount Monster” endurance race at Mt Maunganui.