Big swells hit surf nationals

Gisborne’s Midway Beach bared its teeth for all to see on the opening day of the New Zealand surf lifesaving championships today, playing right into the hands of the host club.

With a deep low-pressure system heading up the east coast of New Zealand, swells and wind steadily built throughout the day until organisers were forced to shift the competition venue 5km down the beach to a more sheltered location.

That was after a morning of carnage, with ski paddlers hammered by the 2.5m waves and the boat crews snapping sweep oars like matchsticks.

When the competition resumed, hosts Midway duly picked up from where they left off last year as New Zealand’s reigning champion club.

Led by Australian-based athletes Mike Janes and Madison Boon, Midway won four of the subsequent finals and placed in four others to set up a commanding first day lead.

Janes paired with younger brother Daniel to win the tube rescue, then linked with Matt Sutton to win the board rescue, while 18-year-old Boon paired with 16-year-old Lucy Gavin to win both the open and under-19 women’s board rescue events.

Also picking up from where they left off were Titahi Bay’s dominant surf boat crew, who mastered the chaotic surf to win the short course title. They’ll look to emulate their long course win last year when the finals are raced on Sunday, after beating fierce rivals Piha into second today, with Midway a surprise third.

The other titles secured today were by Johanna O’Connor and Rebecca Lockwood (Mount Maunganui) in the open women’s tube rescue, and Red Beach under-19 men AJ Maney and Sam Cosgrove in the board rescue.

Midway's fast start has the club on 28 points going into the weekend, 11 ahead of Piha with Red Beach, Mount Maunganui and Titahi Bay tied for third with five points.