East End retain title at Centrals

Photo: John Velvin

East End successfully defended its hold on the Central Regional surf lifesaving championships held on January 8 and 9 at Waimarama Beach in Hawkes Bay, coming out on top with 190 competition points with Omanu (Tauranga) second with 75 points and home club Waimarama third with 68 points.

Of the other three Taranaki clubs at the event, Opunake did best finishing in seventh place on 32 points which is the club’s best result for many years. Small teams from NPOB (ninth place) and Fitzroy (16th) also attended.

Leading performers in the Open category for East End, were NZ rep Claudia Kelly who collected three golds and two silvers in the finals she contested with head coach Joel Meuli picking up gold, silver (2) and bronze in his finals.

In the other age groups, the leading performers for East End were Josh Thorburn, Josh Goble, Tara Shotter, Emma North, Asher Hales, Kara Baker, Daniel Callebaut, Freya Stolte and Sophia Birdsall all of whom picked up multiple medals.

Leading the way for Opunake were beach specialists Caleb Lawn (3 medals), Bella Pivac (2) and  Logan Smith (2) while others to win medals were Caro Olliver, Jeram Smith and Ashton Mitchell.

Medals for NPOB were achieved by Riley Grylls (5 medals in beach events) with others to win medals being Eva Martin and Ruby Shearer, also in the beach events.

Sole medalist in individual events for Fitzroy was Zac Stolte who won the Under 17 male surf swim. Fitzroy’s other medal was achieved in the Under 17 male board rescue.