Rare gold for Pauanui

Pauanui picked up an elusive gold medal on the opening day of the BP Surf Rescue IRB championships at Warrington Beach in Dunedin today.

The Pauanui under-21 men's crew of Spencer Raymond and Jake Smith, along with patient Luke Smith, won the tube rescue title in perfect conditions at the Otago venue.

They headed off the super-keen Sunset Beach crew of Samuel Dwen and Shane Edwards, who have been camped out at Warrington for the past week preparing for the three-day championships.  Daniel Charteris and Drew Whitehead (New Plymouth Old Boys) were third, ahead of fancied Mount Maunganui twins Kirby and Chad Wheeler.

The premier tube rescue title was again won by East End world champions Andy Cronin and James Morwood, ahead of Waimarama and Paekakariki crews, while St Clair sisters Stephanie and Carla Laughton took out the women's tube rescue, as expected.

Waikanae also tasted success, with Matt Kemp and Ryan Jarvis winning the senior tube rescue final, from Sumner and Paekakariki.

The championships continue tomorrow before finishing on Sunday.

For live results, please visit: events.surflifesaving.org.nz/