Toughday for Titahi Bay crews
A photograph taken of the Titahi Bay under-19 women’s surf boat crew in trouble after hitting a wave belied the conditions at Whangamata on January 2.
The largely benign water for round two of the New Zealand Surf Boat Series proved tough for the Titahi Bay crews, who did not register a win.
Just three travelled to the Coromandel beach for the competition - the open women, under-23 men and under-19 women.
The latter, with Tim Marsden at sweep, lost to rivals Orewa Baby Blues in the final, struggling with a big wave that did not match the conditions over the rest of the competition.
They are still out in front of Orewa in the overall standings, 38 points to 36.
Two rounds remain - the North Island Surf Boat Championships in Waihi on February 4-5, and the Piha Big Wave Classic on February 18.
At Whangamata, the Titahi Bay’s open women’s crew came fourth in the final.
They actually hit the beach at the same time as Piha and Red Beach, but lost out in a sprint finish.
The result leaves them third overall on 30 points, behind Muriwai (40 points) and Red Beach (36).
The Titahi Bay under-23 men’s crew, meanwhile, came third in their final, trailing Orewa and Piha, who also head the overall leaderboard in that order.
Titahi Bay open women’s crew member Georgia McLaren said having a round of the series on January 2 can make it tough for everyone to attend.
‘‘People are scattered for new year’s or working or on call,’’ she said.
‘‘Having three crews there was pretty good and looking at the last two rounds, we’ll aim to have plenty more.’’
In the leadup to Waihi, many of the Titahi Bay surf boat crews will attend the Eastern Region Championships at Mt Maunganui at the end of January and then an intensive training camp with Marsden.
‘‘We’re looking forward to being exposed to different types of surf,’’ McLaren said.
She said there was certainly confidence among the open women’s crew that they would push hard for the title, as would all the other crews.
A new boat will be unveiled by the Titahi Bay open men’s crew in Waihi.