Midway were the overall points winners of the Gisborne junior surf lifesaving championships at the weekend but Wainui kept them honest.
Dawson Building Midway’s 10-to-14-year-olds amassed 550 points, Riversun Wainui 434 and Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae 215.
The carnival started at Midway Beach on Friday evening and concluded on Saturday.
“The sun came out for the carnival and it was fantastic to see so many juniors from our Gisborne clubs,” Eastern Region sport manager Sonia Keepa said.
“Our younger age group also had a fantastic participation carnival alongside the bigger kids. Aged 7-10, they were involved in a range of fun sand and water-based activities.
“It was awesome to see how well everyone did, which is a testament to the training they have still managed despite the weather, water and surf challenges,” Keepa said.
“Again, our clubs continue to show resilience and motivation to encourage the development of our future surf lifeguards.”
Keepa said there was “amazing” support from all the helpers and event volunteers who enabled the event.
Midway head coach Jack Gavin was pleased with their team performance.
“It was another top club effort with all the age groups contributing to it.”
“We have 11 Under-11 boys who have some huge potential and it was good to see them so going well and having fun.
“Our older U14s — Sam Matthews, Indie Nikora and Bella Barclay — showed great leadership and got some good results.”
Wainui head coach Dion Williams was “really proud” of his entire squad of 25 competitors.
“Every single one of them performed so well and it was a great hit-out before the Oceans event next month at the Mount.”
Among Wainui’s standouts were Brooke Williams, who won all her U12 events, Zavier Booker in the U12 boys, and Betsy Findlay in the U14 girls, where she was runner-up overall for age group points.
“Betsy had an outstanding carnival,” Williams said.
Waikanae coach Edan Wilson said her whole crew brought an awesome attitude to the carnival.
“I was pleased with how the team as a whole raced and supported each other.
“There were definitely some nerves with it being their first run of the summer but they got stuck in really well.
“Jade Hopper and Tessa Webb won their tube rescue, Clancy Ryan brought massive energy and grit, getting in the top three for many of his races, Jader and Tylar Dear swam super-well all weekend.”
“Pippa Holden and Aurelia Ryan showed massive improvement after a winter of hard work and Jacob Swann Finau took the double win on the sand again.”
“It was great to see Jade, Tylar and Aurelia Ryan earning overall medals.”
The juniors now look to the Eastern Region junior carnival in Ōhope on February 1 and 2.
“Our senior athletes, over 14 years head to Mt Maunganui this weekend for the Eastern Regional Championships where they will race against over 500 other senior surf sport athletes from around the country,” Wilson said.
