Young rock 'n' rollers at nationals

The national rock 'n' roll junior amateur championships were held at the Whanganui War Memorial Hall over Easter weekend.

The Wanganui Rock 'n' Roll Club hosted around 400 guests and 101 entrants at the competitions which started on Friday night and ran until Sunday night.

Wanganui Rock 'n' Roll Club president, Donna Burns said the contestants and their families came "from Invercargill to the far north and lots of places in between."

Most of the competitors, aged from 5 to 17, had been assessed by judges at their local clubs although Mrs Burns said there was a novice section for those who had competed at national level before.

The president said she had picked competitiors Ryan Foster and Lalieya Zainey, both aged 16, of the Drifters' club in Hamilton as possible prize winners.

Ryan Foster and Lalieya Zainey (both 16) were named best dressed at the national rock 'n' roll junior amateur championships. Photo Stuart Munro

"I'm not surprised that the the judges awarded them the prize for best dressed," she said.

The Wanganui Rock 'n' Roll Club would like to encourage new members who may have been inspired by the weekend competitions.

First lessons are free for newcomers and the club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm at the Savage Club on Drews Ave.