Surf boating: Titahi Bay wrap up series

Photo / Paul Estcourt

Titahi Bay wrapped up the second round of the national surf boat series, as well as a spot in the New Zealand team, with a dominant performance in Whangamata yesterday.

The national champions cruised home in the final, beating arch-rivals Mt Maunganui and Piha in the minor placings to win the right to represent their country at the International Surf Challenge in Mt Maunganui.

Such was comfortable nature of their win, sweep Paul McVicar was even allowed the hint of a broach on the final wave in, before he righted the boat's course and won by several lengths.

"It was a disappointing note to finish on considering how well the boys rowed," McVicar said. "They're a good bunch and when they're on their game, they're hard to beat."

After winning the first round of the series on their home beach, Titahi Bay needed only to emulate that result to win the New Zealand nomination.

Piha needed a dominant win to force a row-off, but hit a large wave on their way out in the final and that was all the break Titahi Bay needed.

The fast-rising Mt Maunganui crew had a flawless race to finish second, suggesting they will be a major factor in the final two rounds of the series, at Piha and Waihi Beach.

Mount's top women's crew completed a good day out for the Bay of Plenty club with a comfortable win in the female final, edging first-round winners Mairangi Bay, when the North Shore crew broached coming in.

Piha Pirates forced a row-off in the under-23 grade with clubmates Piha Pirates, after both shared wins in the first two rounds, and the Shane O'Halloran-swept crew then won the decider. They will now row for the New Zealand development team at the International Challenge.

Whakatane won the under-21 women's final from Rarangi and Piha. Titahi Bay's under-19 crew completed a dream day for the club by winning the under-19 men's final.

- NZPA