Surf Lifesaving: Polished nationals rehearsal for Bicknell

TITLE TIME: Hawke's Bay's Scott Bicknell on his way to winning the open men's ski race yesterday. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Scott Bicknell travelled the furthest to represent Hawke's Bay in Surf Lifesaving New Zealand's Representative Challenge at Waimarama yesterday and he made the trip worthwhile.

A Hamilton-based consultancy town planner, Bicknell collected the Hawke's Bay open team's only individual title as the hosts finished fifth. Bicknell, 28, won the open men's ski race.

"It was the ideal rehearsal for the March nationals in Christchurch when I will be aiming to go back-to-back after winning the title for the first time in Ohope last year. My main opposition for the nationals was here too which made it all good," Ocean Beach Kiwi's Bicknell said.

He was referring to Olympian and fellow New Zealand kayaking representative Marty McDowell who beat Bicknell in two of three battles during Saturday's Central Region championships at Waimarama which attracted 330 athletes. Yesterday's challenge involved 156 competitors.

"We're long-time rivals but good mates. Marty had the national title before me," Bicknell explained.

The challenge was being staged for the first time after a two-year break.

"It's good to see it back. It's good for experience and it's good because athletes from different clubs have to work together and every placing contributes points to the overall title," Bicknell said.

"Hawke's Bay is in a rebuilding phase at the moment with good numbers. It shouldn't be too long before we get back to the glory days when we had New Zealand reps Dan Moodie and Nikki Cox representing the Bay," Bicknell said.

Unsuccessful in his bid to paddle at the Rio Olympics, Bicknell has had a break from kayaking since August but said having a crack at qualification for the Tokyo Olympics is still a possibility.

"Focusing on surf lifesaving is quite enjoyable because it isn't as intense," he added.

Other highlights for the Hawke's Bay open team included a second playing by Westshore's Cian Jefferson in the open men's board race and a second placing from Ocean Beach Kiwi's Ben Lewis in the under-19 beach sprint. Hawke's Bay open team coach Michael Bassett-Foss of the Waimarama club was impressed with the efforts of his troops.

A masters 50-54 years grade competitor, Bassett-Foss combined with Ben Cross, Mike and Luke Harman for six wins from as many starts in open canoe race events. This crew will be aiming to retain their long and short course titles at the March nationals.

Cross and the two Harmans are tipped to dominate their events at the Hawke's Bay IRB champs on Sunday.

Wellington's Capital Coast won the open division by 10 points yesterday from Bay of Plenty. Taranaki were third.

Capital Coast managed to take top points in most of the team events including the oceanperson relay [comprising of swim, ski and board elements], board rescue, tube rescue and ski relay. McDowell and fellow Olympian Kayla Imrie, and two New Zealand Surf Life Saving Black Fins team members Stephen Kent and Samantha Lee were all prominent for Capital Coast.

Taranaki won the youth division for athletes from 14-18 years by five points from Bay of Plenty. Gisborne were third. The Hawke's Bay youth team finished sixth.
While rain threatened the event throughout the day, competitors enjoyed a largely dry day with only a few light showers and near flat surf conditions. Event officials said with the surf being less than half a metre, it was an even playing field on the water so a lot of positions were made up during the running sections.