Omanu land Oceans title

Omanu claimed their second consecutive title at the Oceans 15 New Zealand under-14 surf lifesaving championships in Mount Maunganui over the weekend - but neighbours Papamoa pushed them all the way.

The carnival, which saw more than 800 junior athletes competing from 42 clubs around the country, finished in blazing sunshine after four days of competition, with Omanu clocking 59 points to Papamoa's 54.


The victorious Omanu team after winning the Oceans 15 New Zealand under-14 surf lifesaving championships at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

Omanu under-14 athlete Connor Swanberg typified his team's final-day effort, clocking his best-ever diamond race finish in fifth place.

'We all stepped up on finals day,” says Connor, 'showing what our club could do and what it's all about at Omanu.

'There's a big group of us going through to seniors next year so this was a nice way to finish things.

'Not many clubs can say they've done two in a row and it feels pretty good. We've also got some pretty strong kids coming through the younger age groups so we should go pretty well in the future too.”

The Bay of Plenty club had to fight hard for their two gold medals, with victory in the opening 2km beach relay matched by Mitchell Irwin taking out the under-13 boy's board race.

It was a similar story for Papamoa, with Liam Moffatt capturing their only gold in the under-14 diamond race, although he also picked up silver in the surf race and board race.

Orewa was the big mover, courtesy of under-14 girls star Lucy Makaea capturing her fourth, fifth and sixth gold medals of the carnival.

She added board race and diamond race individual titles, then helped Orewa's under-14 Grand Cameron relay team to victory in the final event.

There were some notable performances from Maranui's Sophie Irving and Sam Brown, who took out the under-12 girls and under-11 boys surf races respectively, while Isabella Ackroyd picked up two of Mount Maunganui's five golds on the last day.


Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

Final points table: Omanu 59, Papamoa 54, Orewa 45, Mt Maunganui 37, Waikanae 34, Lyall Bay 32, Red Beach 27, East End 21, Maranui 19, Westshore 17, Mairangi Bay 16, Whangamata and St Clair 12 each, Taylors Mistake 9, Wainui 7, Piha and Waihi 5 each, Otaki and Whakatane 4 each, Waimairi, Worser Bay, Fitzroy, Bethells Beach and Spencer Park 3 each, Hot Water Beach and Paekakariki 2 each, Waipu Cove 1.


Photo: Cameron Avery.


Photo: Cameron Avery.


Photo: Cameron Avery.


Photo: Cameron Avery.


Photo: Cameron Avery.

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