New Plymouth pumps for Surfboat Nationals

by Steve Westlake on 23 Mar 2006 Oakura beach, just south of New Plymouth, was pumping this weekend with 996 competitors at the New Zealand Surf Life Saving National Championships. Fine weather and calm seas gave excellent conditions for three days of hard racing.

With small surf the 'element of luck' was diminished and the fittest and fastest athletes pulled through to take the medals.

In the Surf Boat rowing arena Karekare Women's Crew took out the National title for the open women's Short Course event from a field of 16 boats. Second place went to Mairangi Bay and third to Whakatane.

On Sunday Karekare's dominance was maintained with clean wins in all races of the prestigious Long Course event resulting in another Gold and National title for Karekare. Mairangi Bay took silver and Paekakariki bronze.

Karekare's winning surf boat crew is sweeped by Lance Hammond with Andrea Rix-Trott in stroke, Nina Reid, Steph Westlake and Naila Hassan in bow. The crew came together just six months ago to make the most out of combining previous rowing experience with strong sporting backgrounds, good coaching and consistent training.

Despite a few challenges along the way the goal to 'win at Nationals' was achieved. The last National title ever won by Karekare was in 1991 when L. Hammond, S. Westlake, F. Harvey and M. Blackwood teamed up to take gold in the Surf Canoe event.

The 2006 open men's Surf Boat events, with 19 crews competing, were both won by Red Beach with Steve Westlake, 'on loan' from Karekare, rowing in bow. Red Beach have been chasing this title for over 20 years. Congratulations to them!

This weekends action will be screened on TV on 23rd April when the highlights from the NZSLS Champs goes to air. 'Piha Rescue' will also feature the surf boat rowing, though sadly Piha's crew failed to make the finals.

By all accounts women's surf boat rowing has 'lifted its game significantly' over recent years and more women's crews are competing and giving stronger performances. Some of these NZ crews have already been training and racing together for over six years and in Australia surf boating is the fastest growing sport for women!

So, now that Karekare has a reputation in this arena to uphold, the plan is to continue to develop and expand the squad of surf boat rowers, to build on the skills and experience already with in the club and to attract new members to the Karekare Surf Patrol.

The purchase of a second boat through finding sponsorship is a goal so that by 2007/08 Karekare could bring home both the golds and silvers to adorn the clubroom walls!

Sincere thanks goes out to our sponsors; Heron Plumbing and Scottwood, Mt Wellington and South Auckland Charitable Trusts.

To Pat, Bryan, Kay, Pete and Steve, we thank you for your dedicated support both on and off the beach.

Thank you.