KEY POINTS:
Controversy surrounded the first day of the national surf lifesaving championships when the South Brighton open men's canoe used ski paddles as opposed to conventional single blade paddles at Ohope yesterday.
The paddles were swapped at the water's edge after the crew had carried their canoe down.
South Brighton beat Waimairi with Mairangi Bay in third place, but as soon as the crews reached the beach several team managers protested.
The appeal committee will now have to rule, which could set a powerful precedent for the rest of the championships. With short course canoe races scheduled for today, most crews might opt for the ski paddle option.
Australian-based beach flags specialist, Paul Cracroft-Wilson, 26, from Fitzroy retained his national title after the final runoff with veteran and former New Zealand team captain, Morgan Foster, 31, from South Brighton. Waikanae's Daniel Harris repeated his third place from last year.
Red Beach drew first blood coming from behind to win the open men's board rescue in a very strong field.
Chris Moors and Alistair Maney surged into the lead on the run up the beach beating national champions and New Zealand representatives, Kevin Morrison and Michael Buck from Mairangi Bay. Midway's Matthew Sutton and Michael Janes came in third.
Their performance set the base for a strong first day for the Hibiscus Coast club.
After the first day of competition Red Beach were well out in front on 22 point followed by Fitzroy from Taranaki on 13 and Napier's Westshore with 12 points.
