Local longboarder best at Mangawhai

The 20th Annual Lifeguard Longboard Nationals was held in clean 0.5m-1.0m waves at Mangawhai Heads.

With more than 40 entries, across five divisions, the 2012 event hosted the largest range of competitors with lifeguards from Sunset, Karekare, Omaha, Whangamata, California, Australia and Mangawhai Heads contesting the recent event.

The small waves did not hamper the competition with more than nine hours of surfing.

Local lifeguard Tony Baker won the Open Division event for a third year running, and along with fellow MHVLS Lifeguards Mitch McRae picked up the junior men's title, with Jess Costello winning the women's division.

Karekare's Clint Bishop claimed his first classic division win, while club mate Vaughan Richards won the masters' division.

Event organiser Dave McNiesh was pleased with the turnout and said it was one of the best he has been involved with.

McNiesh who has run the event for 10 years, was presented with a service award from MHVLS and his peers for his passion in running the Lifeguard contest.

The event was also blessed with having legendary waterman and veteran lifeguard and surfer Dave Jackman along to judge and oversee the contest.

Jackman recently donated a replica 12-foot wooden paddle board to MHVLS.