Bream Bay community news: Surf success for Waipu

Waipu IRB team Jake McClure (left) and Callum McKay tackle the waves in last weekend's North Island IRB championships at Waipu Cove.

Surf Life Saving Skills

Waipu's young IRB crews thrived in rough conditions at the BP North Island IRB Championships at Waipu Cove last weekend.

Despite big swells and strong wind, the U19 Waipu Cove Vikings won silver in the mass rescue (team driver: Bailey Hudson; crew: Quintin Brown; patients: Emma Baker, Tyler Flannagan, Alyssa Flannagan) and the Waipu Cove Dinoco team (also U19) won gold in the assembly race, silver in the IRB/tube rescue and bronze in the mass rescue (team driver: Jake McClure; crew: Callum McKay; patients: Hayden Bartlett, Jack Boakes, Grace Kemp).

The teams joined forces for the open teams race and came fourth in the final against several older and more experienced teams.

After the final points tally, the young combined Waipu team, coached by Bob Mercer, was fourth out of the 15 clubs that competed.

Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Club from Port Waikato dominated the contest for the third year running.

Waipu Cove's IRB racing team, fourth in the North Island Championships. Photo / Gail McKay

Sports Awards

The best of Bream Bay's sporting representatives will contest a variety of categories at this Friday evening's Bream Bay Sports Awards.

The awards haven't been held for several years, but a committee headed by Ken Moreland and Marilyn Cox have revived the celebration of local talent, receiving about 40 nominations from sports clubs.

Doors open at the Celtic Barn at 6.30pm, guest speaker is rugby sevens legend Eric Rush.

For tickets, contact Ken Moreland 432 0637 or Michelle Halloran 027 555 4300.

Weather Postpones Regatta

Last weekend's stormy weather forced Marsden Yacht and Boating Club to postpone their planned Snake Bank Regatta, for safety reasons.

The new date is February 24 – so go ahead and enter your human or sail-powered vessel and take on the Snake Bank challenge.

Art N Tartan Evening

The Art N Tartan wearable arts competition information evening is tonight at the Celtic Barn, 7pm – it's for all potential entrants and volunteers to find out more about the show.

For more information about the evening or the show itself, check out the Waipu museum website or the Art N Tartan facebook page.

Waipu River Raft Race

There are still a few days left to create a raft and enter the Waipu Boat and Fishing Club's raft race this Sunday.

Entries are $100 for adult teams, $50 for juniors and $20 for stand-up paddle boarders.

Enter online on the Waipu Boat and Fishing Club website, read the rules and be in to win one of several big cash prizes.

■ Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with the Advocate.