JUNIOR SURFLIFE SAVERS
COMPETE IN PAPAMOA

26 Juniors (7-13yrs) from the Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club competed at Papamoa on Anniversary weekend in the Junior Northern Regional Champs (NRCs). The carnival attracts over 300 athletes from as far north as Mairangi Bay - Auckland and as far south as Lyall Bay-Wellington. Whakatane ended the day with 15 top three finishes.

On a scorching day with little or no swell to mention Jesse Wood was the pick of the Cadets with a 1st in the 12 year olds' Beach Sprint with Brad Wiley 3rd and then a 3rd placing to Wood in the Flags. Other cadets Ryan Wesche placed 2nd in the 13 year olds Diamond and Surf Swim with Stephanie Jenkins picking up a 3nd in the girls event. "Ryan and Stephanie are great athletes" said Coach Grant Muru. Ryan spent the previous 2 days competing for our senior team and Stephanie had just returned from Wellington after picking up a bronze in the National Ocean Swim Series. Novice Cadets Kaiwhetu Kipa and Kate Mcarthy also had a good day gaining future experience.

Not to be outdone by their peers. The Intermediates also had their fair share of success. Paraone Muru was 3rd overall in the 11year old boys making 4 finals and placing 2nd in the board and flags. Both finals had exciting finishes said Grant. In the flags Paraone raced off against another Whakatane competitor Hugo Brown who won the event. I was proud of Paraone's effort said Grant he trains hard and is an all round athlete. In the 11 year old girls Tayla Tulloch had another good day picking up 2nd place in the Surf Swim and Diamond.

The Whakatane club had a number of first time competitors at Papamoa. Ngahuia Muru, Amber Vercoe, Kaitlin Wiley and Kaitlin Burt-Poloai entered the 10 year old Board Race and did themselves proud . Ngahuia was the best performer in their arena with a 3rd in the swim and 4th in the sprints and flags. Other up and coming competitors included Marijka England, Evangaline Kay, Ella Rankin, Kyle Hollowood, Thomas Pigeon and Katie Reid. Each made a brave and enthusiastic effort in all their events said nippers coach Jonathan Kay

The next competition for the Juniors is February 15 when Whakatane host the Bay Champs. We're looking forward to hosting other clubs on our beach said Grant and hope to build on their recent success.