Midway’s 14-to-19-year-olds were a powerful force in their own age groups and stepped up to take almost all the titles in the open division as well.
“It was a great day for the whole club,” head coach Jack Gavin said. “It was amazing to have the juniors and seniors under one tent supporting each other, especially for our up-and-comers.
“They got to see some high-quality racing from our seniors and know what the future holds if they continue training hard.”
Sophie Petro was dominant across the board in the senior champs.
“Sophie featured in nearly every water event, but didn’t have it all her way, with Ella Sutton pushing her in every event and taking the win in the board race,” coach Gavin said.
“Tyron Evans won a hard-fought ironman against his squad mates and Jacob Corrin had a good day racing — showing his experience in the ironman and ski races.”
Yanhi Brown collected top-three placings in nearly all of his u17 age group races and won the overall male title in that age group.
“He also took the overall win in the open male division which was hotly contested by Tyron, Jack Lepper, Angus Blair, Jacob and Oska Smith,” Gavin said.
In the junior champs, Midway’s Sophie Phelps, Sophia Castles and Charlotte Willoughby were stand-outs in the under-12 girls’ division.
“The skill level these three showed in the surf race, board race and diamond was amazing and well beyond their years.
Bree Barclay showed huge potential in the under-11 girls’ age group. She raced with true Midway spirit and picked up some top-three placings, which is awesome for someone so new to the sport.
“Sam Mathews continued his dominance of the under-13 age group, looking especially strong in the board race,” Gavin said.
“Donavon Kupenga raced like a demon and ran like a wind on the sandpit track and raced his heart out in his team events.
“Celia Willoughby, Taylor Newman and Lila Hain all featured in the under-14 girls’ division and are exciting prospects”
“Thanks to Jared Phelps who is the heart of our junior surf programme. The kids and club are very lucky to have him and all his knowledge and experience in our sport.
“I also want to throw a huge thank you to our officials, beach crew, managers and parents for their ongoing support. The Gisborne region is very lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate community pushing our surf sports along.
Up-and-comers shine across the clubs
“Finally a big thanks to Waikanae and Wainui for some fierce local rivalry.
“It’s always great to see up-and-comers across the three clubs testing themselves against each other and improving surf sports, and ultimately keeping our beach-goers safe in the weekends,” Gavin said.
The junior championships saw Midway collect 96 medals in all — 38 gold, 25 silver and 33 bronze. Wainui were in the hunt with 65 medals — 23 gold, 31 silver and 11 bronze. Waikanae picked up two golds, seven silver and 16 bronze for a total of 25 medals.
Wainui head coach Dion Williams was pleased with how his small group of seniors went.
Mako Fukushima-Hall picked up a couple of titles in the under-15s.
He was extremely pleased with their juniors.
“Our 25 juniors in the 11-14 year age divisions all raced well — either for the first time in competition or in winning titles. They were all super-successful.
“Rori Fukushima-Hall had a clean sweep of wins in his age group in the board, swim, iron, flags and sprints.
“Brooke Williams had big leads in her water events.
“I’m so proud of them all . . . the rebuild in the club’s competition is there for everyone to see.”
Waikanae head coach Max Neustroski said there were a lot of highlights from the weekend for his club’s eight senior athletes, who enjoyed multiple event wins and overall age group placings.
“We are really happy with how the young seniors went — Max Phillips, Georgie Beaufoy and Claire Hopper put in some really pleasing performances on the water.
“Quaid Thompson was too fast for the field in open ski and we really enjoyed having Clayden Hope and Alex Bristow on the beach, giving it heaps in the double ski.
“Georgie and Oska Smith backed up their Eastern Regional Champs successes on the sand track.”
Neustroski said the club’s 38 juniors had an awesome day.
“The under-8s, 9s and 10s raced hard and showed some fantastic skills.”
Junior coach Edan Wilson said the Oceans (u14 age groups) kids all lifted another gear in their last hit-out before that event.
“Particularly Bradley Douglas and Jade Hopper, who really stepped up. Clancy Ryan and Tessa Webb, who showed real promise, and Annabelle Douglas and Josie Keast.
“Maihi Swann Ferris was a whirlwind at flags,” Wilson said.
“The whole squad kept on grinding away all day, learning and having fun. I was impressed with their skills, and how they used them.
“Wainui juniors looked really strong and it was great to see so many of all three club caps out there racing together,” she said.
“Congratulations to Midway taking both wins. They’ve done a good job rebuilding their junior squad over the last few years and we’re looking forward to the challenge of chasing them down again.”
