Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club has broken a 40 year drought at the Northern Regional Championships and claimed the title from the event held at Mount Maunganui during the weekend.
The competition was called off some three hours early due to the torrential rain on Sunday, but at this stage Papamoa was six points ahead of closest rival Mount Maunganui.

Papamoa Club's Brad Wilson put in a powerful individual performance to help steer his team to victory at the Northern Regional Championships.

Papamoa head coach Kurt Wilson says the event’s abandonment was not a reason why the club won as some of the races missed were its best, such as the team surf race.
“It was looking pretty good for us with our two strongest events still to come,” says Kurt.
Beating Mount Maunganui was particularly satisfying for Papamoa.
“It was really good to beat the Mount being so close – they have been a dominant force in the sport.”
Papamoa’s best really shone at the event, led ably by Brad Wilson, who won the individual surf race and came third in the board race.
“There were some outstanding individual efforts which boost the confidence of the whole team – their impact is huge,” says Brad’s brother Kurt.
The next big event for Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club are the nationals being held March 12-15 at Ohope and Kurt says this weekend’s win gives the team good confidence heading into it.
“I guess my job now is to make sure they (the team) don’t get too cocky.”