Surf Lifesaving: Red Beach win Oceans surf title

The under-12 girls surf race gets underway on the final day of the surf lifesaving championships in Mount Maunganui. Photo by Jamie Troughton

Red Beach completed a dominant four days by winning the overall club title at the Oceans 12 under-14 New Zealand surf lifesaving championships in Mount Maunganui today.

The Hibiscus Coast club finished finals day with 68 points, with local club Omanu second on 46.

There was a three-way tie for third between Mount Maunganui, Orewa and Papamoa.

Red Beach shared the title last year with Papamoa but junior convener Mark Scheib said the depth was much greater in the club this time around.

"They stepped up from last year and our support networks have been spot-on," Scheib said. "What really did it for us was the team events - we picked up valuable points throughout the relays and that made a huge difference when the points were added up."

Red Beach open stars Dylan French, AJ Maney and Jared Pouwhare have been among those helping out with coaching the younger age-groups, with Vaughan Skiffington operating as overall club coach.

Bay of Plenty clubs performed best on the last day, with Papamoa picking up seven golds and Mount Maunganui grabbing both event-ending Cameron Relay titles.

But there was still time for the smaller clubs to shine - Mangawhai Heads under-14 star Hannah Williams accounted for all her club's 12 points, ending with triple wins in the diamond, surf and board races on the last day.

Pukehina also picked up an elusive gold medal, with James Puchner winning the under-13 beach sprint title, and Waimarama, Whakatane and Sumner also collected gold.

Other multiple winners included Orewa's Grace Kaihau, New Plymouth Old Boys under-12 boy Zac Reid and East End sprinter Javon McCallum.

Final points:

Red Beach 68, Omanu Beach 46, Mt Maunganui 40, Orewa 40, Papamoa 40, Lyall Bay 27, Paekakariki 24, NPOB 23, Wainui 14, Whangamata 14, East End 13, Mangawhai Heads 12, Mairangi Bay 11, Westshore 11, Waikanae 11, Waihi Beach 8, Brighton 7, Whakatane 5, Muriwai 4, Worser Bay 3, Midway 3, Sumner 3, Waimarama 3, Pukehina 3, Warrington 2, Bethells Beach 2, Taylors Mistake 2, Waimairi 1, Fitzroy 1.