Scuba trophy heads south

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

The event sees teams of six compete in a snorkel and scuba relay across the 3.5km Veronica Channel using a decoy duck as a baton.

The first five competitors take turns to snorkel; the sixth swims the last 200m in scuba gear, then sheds the tank and flippers, sprints up the beach at Paihia and downs a beer to finish.

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 of the day 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.