Young Guns fire to claim victory

Kerikeri's Mark Taylor emerges from the water for the Bay of Islands Underwater Club. Photo / Peter De Graaf

One of Northland's quirkiest sporting trophies has changed hands for the first time in years after North Shore-based Wettie Young Guns won the Russell-Paihia Snorkel Scuba Race.

The event see teams of six compete in a snorkel and scuba relay across the 3.5km Veronica Channel; the team whose diver is first to down a beer on Paihia Beach is the winner.

Port Valley Opua held the trophy for the previous seven years but had to withdraw this year due to injury, allowing the Young Guns to take the title with a time of 50 minutes. Rough conditions and absence of the long-time champs meant Port Valley's record of 38 minutes set two years ago is safe for another year.

The day's festivities also featured an icebreaker swim for the kids, a spearfishing contest and a fish auction.

The proceeds will be split between Coastguard Bay of Islands, Paihia Fire Brigade and Russell Radio.

Results: 1 Wettie Young Guns, 50:00; 2 Dive Zone Bay of Islands, 52:48; 3 Wettie Hunters 55:12; 4 Wettie Team NZ, 1:02:51; 5 Broadway Health, 1:08:04; 6 Mt Maunganui Underwater Club, 1:08:18; 7 Bay of Islands Underwater Club, 1:30:53; 8 Paihia Fire Brigade, 1:32:58.