Although Reg competed for the Waitemata and Red Beach clubs in Auckland, the whole family have recently moved up from Christchurch to Papamoa, where Taris has joined the local club.
At 74, Reg is still trim and fit, heavily involved in masters swimming and looking like he could still hold his own on the beach, where he won 11 national titles in all.
Bay of Plenty's under-16 win was their third in succession, helped by the dominance of ironmen Ben Johnston and Ben Cochrane and ironwomen Jess Miller and Katie Wilson.
Auckland's disappointment was tempered, however, by an equally impressive under-14 victory, clearing out to beat the hosts by 16 points. Bay of Plenty were second on 179, with Gisborne also claiming third in that division, ending on 163.
Auckland's under-14 effort was boosted by wins in the female surf teams race, the mixed rescue relay and sprinting victories to Kelsey Lewis (beach flags) and JJ Waru-Koroi (beach sprint).
Auckland also picked up five second-placings, under-pinning their consistency.
With the under-14 and under-16 competition finished, attention now turns to the under-19 and open events, which will be held over the weekend.
