With surf lifesaving nationals next weekend at Ohope, Papamoa is looking to rack up more medals following strong performances at last month’s Bay of Plenty champs.
Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club was second overall on 251 points – runners up to arch rivals Mount Maunganui on 342, but thumping Omanu who came third on 110 points.

Brad Wilson is one of the key players in the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving club team.

Papamoa scored across the board – Brad Wilson, Blair Dunn  and James Ryan dominating in open men’s  events; Mitchell Harris strong in under 19 men’s; Danny Kayes and Hayden Halse again showing their class in U16 men’s events, while Natalie Peat proved her position as No. 1 under 16 female athlete.
Brad won the coveted open men’s ironman title, followed by Blair in third spot and Brad’s older brother Kurt in fourth place.  If it hadn’t been for Midway’s Matt Sutton inching into second, Papamoa would have been one, two and three.  The trio did manage this in the board event, however, Brad first, Blair second and Kurt third.
Danny Kayes took the U16 men’s ironman, Hayden Halse having to be content with third place in this event. He did take top spot, however, in the board event and came second to Danny in the U16 men’s surf race.
Natalie Peat won the U16 diamond lady event and the surf race. She was second in the U16 women’s board event and added her strength to several relay events as well.
Papamoa masters showed there’s still life after 40 – the likes of Matt Pickering coming second in the masters’ ironman and Delwynne Hahunga second in the masters 40-49 women’s board event and third in her age group’s surf race.  Naomi Davoren, Jan Lockey and Tracey Mano cleaned up the 30-39 surf race – first, second and third respectively, while Naomi also won her age group’s board event.
The Surf Lifesaving New Zealand champs are at Ohope Beach and begin Thursday. U16, U19 and open events run Friday to Sunday.