Wednesday, 10 March 2010
THE NZCT Surf Lifesaving Championships return to Ohope tomorrow and the yellow and green caps of Whakatane will be among those battling for national honours.
The Whakatane Surf Lifesaving Club has 47 athletes competing across the masters, open and age-group sections. The four day competition is a massive boon for the club after hosting the same event in 2008.
Hometown advantage will be on the minds of the ladies surf boat crew known as Monty’s Maidens. Annette Hahipene, Whytnee Rio, Chrissy Douglas, Carla Linton and sweep/coach Monty McGougan carry good form into the event and are looking to wrap the season up with their fourth major title. They won the New Zealand surf boat series last month and also have the North Region and Bay of Plenty titles in the trophy cabinet.
The RN Byrnes Haddocks mens masters crew are also on a mission for gold after placing seventh in the open section of the New Zealand series. Simon Linton, Dean Oswald, Tony Oswald, George Westerman and sweep Malcolm Rowson make up the crew and Rowson said they are keen to do well on their home patch.
“We want to take out the masters section and make finals in the open section. We are definitely capable of achieving those goals,” he said.
Last month, during the last round of the series at the treacherous Piha beach, the crew’s boat suffered extensive structural damage and they ended up taking an unscheduled swim.
“We have been training in a loan boat the club acquired. It is similar to what we have been racing. The repair bill could be has high as $10,000,” Rowson said.
The master’s division has 27 athletes from Whakatane competing and among them will be Barry Cutfield who won three medals at the 2008 nationals. This year he will be in the 50-59 masters category and compete in 14 different events.
In 2008 Whakatane placed 22nd, winning nine gold medals, seven silver medals and six bronze medals. But the club’s success was not limited to the arenas. The running of the event was hailed a massive success and club spokeswoman Christine Tulloch said they are hoping for a repeat performance.
“It went so well last time so we have a great blueprint to work with. Surf Lifesaving New Zealand was really happy as well because they knew what to expect.
“Our budget is more in line with other hosts’ of the event this time - so it is a bit more limited. But we are confident we can make this another great event,” she said.
Crews were busy putting up tents and boat racks and drawing lines in the sand yesterday in preparation for the event. The competitor list will top 1518 entrants from 44 clubs and there will be 144 titles on the line. The event gets underway tomorrow morning with the masters beach flags races.