Surf Lifesaving: Jefferson leads charge for Westshore

Competitors in the under-16 boys ski race clear the breakers.

Westshore's Cian Jefferson was unsure how he would perform in Surf Lifesaving New Zealand's Central Region Championship at Waimarama on Saturday.

"I hadn't trained as hard as I would have liked because I've been busy coaching juniors as well as seniors," the 20-year-old said.

However the eighth-year lifeguard, who was tackling his fourth Central Region Championship, was quick to quell his fears. Jefferson did the best of the Hawke's Bay competitors in his open men's events with second placings in the ski and board races and thirds in the ironman and beach sprint.

Whether his efforts were enough to put Westshore among the top four clubs in the 14-club event which attracted 208 athletes remains to be seen.

Programme and services manager for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand's Central Region Jacob Davies said officials had issues with the result-compiling aspect of the carnival and final standings were unlikely to be known until tomorrow.

"I would expect the likes of Paekakariki from Wellington and Fitzroy from Taranaki to be up there. But, at the same time, the likes of Ocean Beach Kiwi and Waimarama of Hawke's Bay did well too ... it's too hard to give any indications of final placings," Davies said.

Jefferson's preferred event is the board race.

"I've been a keen surfer for a little bit longer than I've been into surf lifesaving and there's a little bit of crossover there" he said.

Jefferson, a regional lifeguard when he is not dealing with the sport side of his favourite summer code, described Saturday's carnival as "like a big training day".

"I was just happy to get amongst it both as a competitor and a coach. It was good to see the decision-making from some of the young athletes I've been coaching. It's cool to see them carry out what they have been taught and how they cope with the conditions they are confronted with."

His next outing will be the Mount Maunganui-hosted Eastern Regionals later this month.

"With the likes of Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Gisborne clubs it will be a step up from the Central Region," Jefferson said.

A Napier Old Boys Marist Colts rugby loosie, he recently returned from a playing stint in Scotland. He is looking forward to the rugby season once his surf commitments have finished.