Central Regional Championships and first round of Surf Boat Series equals an action packed weekend at Waimarama Beach

Photo: Rob Stephenson

Hundreds of Surf Lifesaving athletes took to the water at the weekend as part of the Central Regional Championships and the first round of the National Surf Boat Series.

East End Surf Life Saving Club came out on top in the senior event on Saturday (January 11), with 331 athletes competing from 19 clubs.

Two hundred and sixteen children aged seven to 14, from 15 clubs competed on Sunday (January 12) with Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club winning the juniors title.

Photo: Rob Stephenson

Athletes competed in individual and team disciplines such as surf swim, beach sprints, beach flag races, surf ski and board races.

Following the first of three rounds in the National Surf Boat Series, Muriwai and Titahi Bay are leading the Open Men’s and Women’s sections respectively, with Titahi Bay claiming four of the eight surf boat age group categories.

Photo: Rob Stephenson

The events were held at Waimarama Beach, Hawke’s Bay, and hosted by Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club.

Surf Life Saving Central Region Sport Manager Richard Whinham says the weekend was a huge success.

“Everything went amazingly well. We had beautiful sunny Hawke’s Bay weather and perfect ocean conditions which made for a great weekend of Surf Lifesaving competition.

“It was a highlight just seeing everyone having a good time at the beach and getting a chance to put all the work to good use that they have been doing over the past few months.”

Photo: Rob Stephenson

Whinham says events such as this are successful thanks to all the volunteers who get involved, from  surf officials, event lifeguards, people providing first aid, the work party, the food team and “everyone else that pitched in to make the event happen”.

The next big event for the Central Region’s senior competitors is the Eastern Region Senior Championships on January 24 – 26, 2020. The Central Region juniors will be preparing for Oceans'20 which runs from February 27 – March 1, 2020. Both events will be at Mount Maunganui.

Those competing in the National Surf Boat Series will be working towards the upcoming competitions in the Eastern and Northern regions.

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2020 Central Regional Senior Championships

East End Surf Life Saving Club 107
Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club 95
Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Life Saving Club 92
Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club 84
Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club 55
Westshore Surf Life Saving Club 50
Maranui Surf Life Saving Club 42
Paekakariki Surf Lifeguards 24
Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Patrol 8
Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club 7
Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service 6
Piha Surf Life Saving Club 6
Foxton Surf Life Saving Club 4
Otaki Surf Life Saving Club 4
Fitzroy Surf Life Saving Club 3
Omanu Surf Life Saving Club 1

2020 Central Regional Junior Championships

Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club 101
East End Surf Life Saving Club 60
Worser Bay Life Saving Club 53
Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club 43
Westshore Surf Life Saving Club 39
Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club 34
Maranui Surf Life Saving Club 30
Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club 22
Midway Surf Life Saving Club 16
Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Life Saving Club 8
Paekakariki Surf Lifeguards 7
Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club 5
Foxton Surf Life Saving Club 3
Opunake Surf Life Saving Club 3

For a full list of the results from the Central Regional Senior Championships click here.

For a full list of the results from the Central Regional Junior Championships click here.

For a full list of the results from the first round of the National Surf Boat Series click here.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Whinham
Central Region Sport Manager
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
0275 833 228
richard.whinham@surflifesaving.org.nz

OR

Melanie Louden
Media and Communications Manager
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
021 757 433
melanie.louden@surflifesaving.org.nz