Gisborne’s Brooke Williams claims golden treble and a silver at junior surf lifesaving nationals

Gold medallist Brooke Williams (centre), with the other top-three placegetters in the diamond final – left, Harlee Rose Makara from Whangamatā, who was third, and Meila Murphy from Pāpāmoa. Photo / Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Wainui youngster Brooke Williams came home from the Oceans 25 national junior carnival in Mount Maunganui with three gold medals and a silver.

The carnival was held over four days in ideal weather and sea conditions.

Williams won the run-swim-run final in the Under-12 girls’ age group on Thursday, then added a second placing in the beach sprint on Friday.

She got back on the top of the podium again with a win in the surf race on Saturday and the diamond iron event on Sunday morning.

The other gold medallist from the three Gisborne clubs competing was Midway’s Noah Atkins, who won the U11 boys' board race.

Saturday’s surf races produced no further medals for Gisborne athletes, but there were good performances from Midway’s Bree Barclay, who was sixth in the U12 girls' race, Midway’s Thomas Waide, eighth, U11 boys; Waikanae’s Tylar Dear, sixth, U11 girls; and Midway’s Blake Taylor, eighth, U13 boys.

Taylor also picked up bronze medals in the board, board relay and diamond.

The Midway team of Taylor, Sam Matthews and Tyson Ingoe won the 13-14yrs boys' board relay.

Matthews also claimed silver in the U14 boys' board race.

Midway’s Ingoe, Charlotte Willoughby, Lucas Nicol and Indie Nikora were second in the 13-14yrs mixed beach relay.

Midway's Mason Wallace goes over the top of a wave at the Oceans 25 junior carnival. Photo / Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Jack Gavin, head coach of Dawson Building Midway, said it was a great weekend for their squad.

“We had some amazing results, but more importantly had a great time creating lasting memories.

“Huge congratulations go to our medal winners....they all showed guts and determination in the conditions.

“We had a huge number of finalists, too, and achieved top 10 finishes in nearly every event, which is super-exciting for the future of Midway surf sports.

Dawson gave a “huge thanks” to parents, managers, officials and their helpers, along with Sophie Petro “who has done an amazing job with our juniors this season” and Jared Phelps “for steadying the ship and being there when it counts”.

Charlotte Willoughby raced strongly in the Midway cap. Photo / Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Riversun Wainui head coach Dion Williams said it was “a beautiful carnival and our Wainui team had a ball”.

“I think our athletes have made 50 new friends each through the four days. It was a great atmosphere.

“We had medals and a lot of very close finishes, and all 17 kids raised their games to compete with NZ’s best young athletes.”

Proud dad Williams also acknowledged Brooke’s performance.

“She was amazing and her efforts were topped off by winning the big one – the diamond.”

Eli MacArthur (U11 boys) was “another standout”, while Xavier Booker’s bronze-medal paddle in the U12 boys’ board event was ”amazing".

“Alyvia Williams got fourth in the diamond, little Hannah Hudson fourth in the U11 board race, and Zoe Keepa [was] fifth in the surf race and sixth in the diamond.

“Indy Williams got sixth in the U11 board race, fifth in the beach flags and eighth in the diamond final just ahead of best mate Hannah in ninth. Fantastic efforts.

Wainui's Indy Williams was another to race well for her club - fifth in the U11girls' beach flags her best result. Photo / Jamie Troughton-Dscribe Media

“Moana Fukushima Hall, Sanya Lawler, Faith Evans, Betsy and Maisey Findlay and Natalie Hudson were absolutely incredible all weekend long and have made such huge progress through the season. Arthur Tilghman, Zebedee Findlay and Flynn Teutenberg also raced really well.

“I’m so proud of all the kids, the parents and assistant coaches Jack Keepa and Stella Smith. They all created a fun supportive culture that was great to be a part of. Very cool.”

Kaiaponi Waikanae junior coach Edan Wilson said their club’s energised team performed to their best.

“I was so proud of how they raced and the awesome attitudes they brought to their races.

“In the U12 and U11 arena, some of our newest athletes stepped on to the line with the focus of having fun and showcasing their skills.

“In her very first Oceans, Tylar Dear came away with a really impressive sixth-place finish in the U11 girls' surf race.

“Teammate Emmie Fitzharris-Stevens also achieved impressive results.

“Clancy Ryan raced hard in a hotly contested U14 boys' age group, earning himself spots in several finals.”

Clancy Ryan was one of Waikanae's top performers over the Oceans 25 carnival.

Waikanae entered three U14 girls’ board rescue teams, in which teammates Josie Keast and Annabelle Douglas, Pippa Holden and Tessa Webb, and Jade Hopper and Aurelia Ryan demonstrated their strengths in teamwork and communication.

“A highlight of the event was the collaboration between all three Gisborne clubs to create composite relay teams, which allows the kids to build strong friendships and race in events where they otherwise wouldn’t be able to,” Wilson said.

“The event as a whole was amazing and the work that had been put in by Waikanae clubbie and event organiser Matt Cairns and his team was evident.”