In conditions that saw several events cancelled, Papamoa junior surf lifesavers kept a firm grip on the competition they have made their own over recent years.
Between 300-350 junior surf lifesavers took part in the contest held on Monday at Papamoa.
“Five or six years in a row we have won the juniors,” says event coordinator and the director of junior surf at Papamoa, Chris Hunt.
“It is a reflection of the junior programme that’s coming through,” says Chris.
“The work that was put in five to 10 years ago is starting to show dividends.”
Monday morning began with dark clouds and big surf, which Chris thinks might have put off a number of competitors. By the time the competition began at 10am, the showers cleared up and the sea had calmed down.
The club still had about 40 lifeguards in the water at any one time for water safety, and the programme was amended to suit the conditions.
“A lot of the knee board races didn’t go ahead,” says Chris.
“We ran alternate races. The 13 year old boys were the only group to keep their knee board race.”
The junior surf lifesaving competition is run in association with the Northern Regional Championships held at the Mount on Saturday and Sunday of the Anniversary Weekend.
And like the older lifeguards competition, the junior surf lifeguards come to Papamoa from all over the country to compete against their peers.
“I believe it is the second or third biggest event in the country.” says Chris.