News
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service named top club at Champion of the Bays
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Photo: Cody Keepa/Keepa Digital
Action was hot as Gisborne turned up the temperature to wrap up the Eastland Port 2020 Champion of the Bays event held on the weekend (January 11 and 12) at Midway Beach.
The event was hosted by Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Eastern Region and doubled as the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne Senior Champs.
Plenty of club pride was on the line heading into the teams events on Sunday as valuable points were on offer to find the overall top clubs within the Eastern Region.
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service took the honours as top club of the event and of Bay of Plenty.
In an extremely tight battle the Gisborne clubs went head to head, race to race, neck and neck on the points table right down to the last race that became the decider with only 1 point in it as the final results came in.
In the end, Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club was victorious over Midway Surf Life Saving Club and remain holders of the Ralph Morse Memorial Shield for 2020.
Photo: Cody Keepa/Keepa Digital
Surf Life Saving NZ Eastern Region Sport Manager Mark Inglis says “massive thanks” must go to Eastland Port for their continued support of the event.
“It’s great to have them being part of a positive experience for our Eastern Region athletes.”
Inglis is also thanking the Officials, Water Safety and Work Crew teams who took part.
“They were on the beach in very hot conditions at times over the weekend and volunteered their efforts and knowledge to ensure a successful and well run carnival.”
Photo: Cody Keepa/Keepa Digital
Eastland Group chief operating officer Andrew Gaddum says Eastland Port is proud to be the name sponsor of Champion of the Bays.
“It is a highlight of the local sporting calendar and a popular community event.
“Congratulations to all the competitors and winners, and thank you to the organisers and volunteers for putting together such a fantastic weekend.
“It was hugely exciting, a bit nerve wracking at times, and a great showcase for the sport and our region.”
Photo: Cody Keepa/Keepa Digital
Inglis says the Champion of the Bays is a fantastic lead in carnival to the Eastern Region Championships which is being held from January 24-26, 2020 at Mt Maunganui.
<END>
Eastland Port 2020 Champion of the Bays – Overall Combined Points
Club Points
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service 216
Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club 165
Omanu Surf Life Saving Club 112
Midway Surf Life Saving Club 88
Wainui Surf Life Saving Club 68
Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club 62
Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club 54
Opotiki Surf Life Saving Club 17
Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service 7
Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club 6
Otaki Surf Life Saving Club 5
Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club 1
Local Area Points – Bay Of Plenty
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service 321
Omanu Surf Life Saving Club 154
Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club 124
Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club 94
Opotiki Surf Life Saving Club 16
Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club 14
Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service 9
Local Area Points – Gisborne
Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club 290
Midway Surf Life Saving Club 289
Wainui Surf Life Saving Club 98
Overall Age Group Winners
Open Male: 1 Mitch Cowdrey (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club), 2 Chris Dawson (Midway Surf Life Saving Club), 3 Aidan Smith (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
Open Female: 1= Carla Reid (Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club), 1= Vittoria Borgnino (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service), 3 Lauren Picket (Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club)
U19 Male: 1 Thomas Scott (Omanau Surf Life Saving Club), 2= Kiahi Horan (Omanau Surf Life Saving Club), 2= Tanner Baxter (Omanau Surf Life Saving Club), 3 Harry Low (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
U19 Female: 1 Briana Irving (Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club), 2 Molly Shivnan (Omanau Surf Life Saving Club), 3= Ava Smith (Wainui Surf Life Saving Club), 3= Georgie Pitkethley (Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club)
U16 Male: Lachie Falloon (Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club), 2 Jack Keepa (Wainui Surf Life Saving Club), 3 Gus Shivnan (Omanau Surf Life Saving Club)
U16 Female: Mia Gardiner (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service), Lily Pearce (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service), 3 Bella-Rose Mountfort (Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service)
For more information contact:
Melanie Louden
Media and Communications Manager
Sure Life Saving NZ
021 757 433
melanie.louden@surflifesaving.org.nz