He has been coaching at the club for a couple of years and this summer he shared the craft coaching with his son who was in charge of the swimming coaching. Bassett-Foss led by example when he competed and returned home with six golds and one silver. Along with Ben Cross, Michael and Luke Harman, Bassett-Foss, was a member of the open men's canoe race team which won the long and short course titles.
In his masters 50-54 years grade Bassett-Foss won gold in his surf race, ski race, ironman and run-swim-run events and silver in the board race. A Hawke's Bay businessman, Bassett-Foss, moved to Napier 15 years ago after representing the Otaki club from the age of 14.
Harman and Cross both compete in the premier grade on the national IRB scene and have worked hard on their strength and fitness this season which paid dividends in the canoe races. The pair are tipped to perform well at the Papamoa-hosted IRB nationals on April 2 and 3.
Georgia Rathbone was anther valuable contributor to the Waimarama points tally. She won the under-16 beach flags title and finished third in her beach sprint final.
It wasn't a surprise when Rathbone was selected in the New Zealand Development Youth squad announced on Sunday night.
Along with Bassett-Foss, Allister Hunter, was another to impress at masters level. The 70-74 years grade athlete won his board race, beach flags and beach sprint events and silvers in his surf race and run-swim-run events.
The Ocean Beach Kiwi club provided Hawke's Bay's other national titles. New Zealand kayaking rep Scott Bicknell won the open men's ski.
His clubmate Anne Cairns won the masters 30-34 years ski race title and combined with Jess Bennett to win the double ski gold in the same age group.
Ocean Beach Kiwi's long course canoe race crew of Shane Bennett, William Wilkins, Jack Crasborn and Ben Hamelink did well to win silver.
