Junior surf athletes from three Gisborne clubs racing against NZ’s best

The district’s junior surf lifesavers will put their best feet forward this weekend in the quest for medals at the New Zealand junior Oceans championships at Mount Maunganui. Wainui’s Brooke Williams (pictured) is rated to have good chances for their club. Pictures by Paul Rickard

The junior surf athletes from the three Gisborne clubs head out of town today to join with their compatriots from across the country in the Oceans 24 national championships, full of high hopes for medal success.

A total of 701 11-14 year olds will compete at Mount Maunganui over the four days starting tomorrow morning, representing 46 clubs.

A team of 21 will be in action from Riversun Wainui, 20 from Dawson Building Midway and 13 from Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae.

Midway dominated the junior championships recently and the athletes look set to deliver another powerhouse performance.

“The Midway team are looking forward to hitting the Mount and we’ve got a good squad,” head coach Jack Gavin said.

“Swell conditions are going to suit the Gisborne clubs.

“Ones to watch in Midway would be Indie Nikora in the under-13 girls board race and beach flags.

“Sophie Phelps, Sophia Castles, and Charlotte Willoughby, all in the u12 girls division, will be looking to feature and will be competitive in all team events,” Gavin said.

“Sam Matthews will be gunning for podium finishes in the board race and the diamond in the u13 boys age group.

“As always Lilla Hain should be very hard to beat in the u14 female beach sprints and beach flags events,” he said.

“Aside from the competition and most importantly, we will be looking to have a whole lot of fun as a squad and club and to make the most of hanging out with our mates at the Mount.”

Wainui head coach Dion Williams said he was really excited for his team to have a crack at the other best racers in New Zealand.

“My daughters Brooke and Lyv would have a chance in the board and swim events in the u11-year age division.

“Xavier Booker and Zebedee Findlay should also go well in the u11 and u12 divisions.

“They are both strong in the surf events, particularly the board.

“Our rising star Rori Fukushima-Hall has looked incredible in his events this summer and it would be so good to see him score national medals.

“Our team is really looking forward to four days of good competition.

“The surf is tipped to be around a metre all weekend so that will suit the surf kids from Wainui.”

Waikanae’s Oceans coach Edan Wilson said they have a really enthusiastic and excited team heading away.

“Most are still pretty new to the sport, but they’ve put so much hard mahi into training this summer and I think we’ll really see big improvements over the four days of racing.

“I know from experience that The Mount beach can be so fickle, your luck can turn quickly, so it’s hard to make predictions.

“But my crew have all got the potential to do really well,” Wilson said.

“We’re stoked to be fielding a great wee u13 and u14 Grand Cameron Relay team, some promising board relay teams and our rescue teams are looking pretty slick too.

“Individually, Jade Hopper is excited to get stuck into the surf swimming, Bradley Douglas is keen to attack the board races and even a broken arm hasn’t put off Aurelia Ryan who is adamant she’s still running.

“I’m really grateful to the amazing crew of parents for supporting their kids over the season.

“It’s been a whirlwind summer and Ocean’s is a crazy four days on the beach, but the families have been fantastic and I’m really looking forward to celebrating all the kids’ achievements at their final big event of the season.”