Kaitāia College teachers and SUP coaches Belinda Gummer and Sean Booth also competed, placing second and third overall in their individual events.
Gummer said all the students competed well, considering many had picked up a paddle only this year.
She said they were so enthused, they were already talking about how to improve for next year’s nationals.
“Seeing the kids achieving and having a few nervous ones beating me in both the technical and sprints made their day,” Gummer said.
“I have found training with the students very motivational and they are amazing humans who have taken it upon themselves to push themselves to the next level, they will accomplish many things as the years go by.
“It was such a blast and watch this space as we are hoping more of our up-and-coming talented students will join us next year.”
Digital technology teacher Gummer said as far as she was aware, this was only the second time a Kaitāia College SUP team had entered the event, the first being pre-pandemic.
Each week more than 20 students train on Monday afternoons at Kaitaia’s Lake Ngātu and sometimes Tokerau Beach for variation.
Gummer said the group was made up of kids interested in learning paddleboarding and was a great sport for all ages because the community was inclusive, supportive and non-judgmental.
Those keen to compete can train up to two mornings a week plus the occasional Thursday evening near the Kerikeri Stone Store.
“This is the first year we have actively trained over the summer holidays to prepare for the nationals, but I believe Sean Booth has been teaching kids and staff to SUP at KC for quite a few years now,” Gummer said.
“You have to have an interest in getting out on the water multiple times a week, plus have balance and perseverance. You also need to be able to swim.”
Prior to the nationals, a team of 10 competed at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) Stand-up Paddleboard Regional Championships event in Kerikeri earlier this month.
Six of the 10 students went on to place at that event, gaining them a place at last week’s national competition in Auckland.
Jess McCarthy (U19 girls) and Jackson Bainbridge (U16 boys) each won gold at that event, with Noah Mcbirney (U16 boys) and Tamzyn Howell (U14 girls) winning silver.
The team also placed first in the relay race.
The first-ever Northland regional schools Stand-up Paddleboard Championships took place at the Waitangi Inlet on the first Saturday of the 2019 Easter school holiday.
Gummer said the team was excited to compete at the upcoming Far North SUP Triple Crown three-day paddleboard race event at the Bay of Islands.
The event will be held over three days at three locations for the King’s Birthday Weekend in June.
