An important board meeting

The champs are the second biggest surf lifesaving event after the New Zealand Championships held at Ohope Beach in March and are regarded by surf athletes as the springboard for that event. Competition starts 7.45am both days.

Papamoa’s Brad Wilson is one of 980 competitors in the Northern Regional Championships at Mount Maunganui on Saturday and Sunday January 30 and 31. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Papamoa lifeguards head into this weekend’s Northern Regional Championships with strong hopes for a healthy medal haul and titles to boost the club trophy cabinet.
Brad Wilson – current New Zealand title holder for run, swim, run – will line up in the glory open ironman event, as well as swim and board sections. Brad has the confidence of recent success under his belt to help him push harder. At a carnival in Red Beach earlier this month, Wilson was runner up in the swim, third in the ironman and fourth in board.
Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club head coach Kurt Wilson says the club is pretty strong in open men this season with members such as James Ryan and Blair Dunn adding their swimming prowess to the club.
“We have a core group of open men, and team events will be strong,” says Kurt.  
This has been proved by Papamoa’s six-man taplin team, placing second at Red Beach this month. Kurt has high hopes for top results this weekend.
Under 19 crews are leading the way in surf boat and canoe events – and if the surf pumps this weekend at Mount Maunganui, it will be another good test of the club’s new Sonic surf boat.
In Under 16 age groups, Natalie Peat is a lead contender for this weekend’s diamond lady, having scooped the title at Red Beach. Natalie also came second in the swim event and third in board at Red Beach.
In the U16 men’s, Hayden Halse matched Natalie’s victory, claiming ironman status at Red Beach, so the pair are looking for repeat performances. Both have also been named in the Bay of Plenty U16 team.
Kurt expects about 65 Papamoa ocean athletes to compete in this weekend’s champs.

By Jo Ferris