Gisborne cements reputation as go-to sporting destination

Piercing the wave: The Gisborne canoe crew of Jordan McLarin, Quaid Thompson, Alex Bermingham and Christy Tate punch through surf on the way to victory in one of the short-course races in the New Zealand Open Representative Challenge yesterday. Gisborne were crowned 2019 challenge champions after they finished the day's competition 20.5 points ahead of second-placed Taranaki.

GISBORNE lived up to its reputation as a sporting paradise at the weekend. The city hosted major surf lifesaving and equestrian events in ideal, if challenging, conditions and its teams performed up to and beyond expectations.

The three-day Bay Bonanza game fishing competition was another drawcard, though the marlin proved elusive.

And the district even exported its sporting excellence. At Lake Karapiro on Sunday, a Gisborne Rowing Club crew won the A final of the women’s intermediate coxed octuple sculls in the North Island club championships. It was a race they had not trained for, and they competed in a boat their coach borrowed from Hawke’s Bay (see page 29).

Waikanae surf lifesavers pushed Mount Maunganui all the way in the Eastern Regional Championships from Friday to Sunday at Midway Beach. The Mount retained their title, but by a much smaller margin than last year. Waikanae were second, Midway were third and Wainui were 14th in a carnival that attracted 500 competitors from 32 clubs.

The Gisborne representative surf lifesaving team had the final say, though, when they became the 2019 New Zealand Representative Challenge champions in a one-day event held on Monday (see pages 31 and 32).

Gisborne team coach Dion Williams said the way the Gisborne clubs trained together and supported each other for the representative event made a difference.

“Our team captains Matt Scott and Olivia Corrin really led the way with their performances, but every single person on the team did exceptionally well,” Williams said.

“It wasn’t just the race wins that got us this result; it was everyone pushing for that extra 1 percent that got us this title.”

Taranaki were second, edging out last year’s winners, Bay of Plenty.

A feature of the weekend’s surf lifesaving action was the size of the waves confronting the craft crews and individual competitors, and in some races on Saturday a significant number of the field did not make it past the breakers.

Visiting teams praised the carnival organisation and facilities. A $20,000 grant and additional sponsorship from Eastland Community Trust made it possible for the regional championships to be held here, with the Tairawhiti/Gisborne brand given prominence in event promotion. The Eastern Regional Championships are traditionally held at Mount Maunganui, but favourable comment from those taking part indicates this won’t be the last time they are held in this district.

Showgrounds Park was the destination for top-flight riders from all over the country at the weekend. They were there for the Larsen Sawmilling North Island Jumping and Show Hunter Championships (see pages 29 and 30). The event included a Trans-Tasman young rider test that showcased rising talent in Australia and New Zealand, and was won by New Zealand.

Taupo teenager Briar Burnett-Grant had a double success. She won the Equissage Premier League event and was a member of the New Zealand team who won the trans-Tasman young rider test.

With the weather playing its part, and city accommodation providers, cafes and retailers enjoying the commercial spin-off, the district sporting community showed its best side to anyone venturing outdoors.