Success expected at surf lifesaving regional champs

January marks the start of the busiest time in the surf sports calendar, kicking off with the Central Regionals at Fitzroy Beach on Saturday 13 January.

Racing will involve up to 400 competitors and will cover all surf sports disciplines including surf boats and surf canoes. Based on results in recent seasons all the local clubs, especially Fitzroy and East End, will be favoured contenders for top six placings.

Before Christmas, the annual Mount Monster long distance event was held at Mount Maunganui.

For Fitzroy, their top result was in the Masters men’s section where Adam Fraser, Iain McCallum, and Richard Coomber combined to take out first place.

Other success for Fitzroy came in the Open women’s race in which Natalie Walsh, Rebecca Cole and Julia Padrutt finished third. Fitzroy’s Under 19 men’s team of Max and Ben McCallum, Abe Larsen and Calum Sutherland got third in their category while Joe Collins finished third in the Under 19 men’s individual race.

East End’s best result was by Hannah Baker who took out first place in the Under 19 women’s race. East End’s Open mixed team of Joel Meuli, Isabella Kelly and Aimee Daniels finished second in their section.

Coming up later this month is the inter-districts Representative Challenge event on 29 January at Mount Maunganui. The Senior Taranaki team, with surf canoe and IRB names yet to be added, is:

Open: Tom Cole, Gregor Park, Javon McCallum, Keely O’Keefe, Arianna Kereopa, Natalie Walsh (all Fitzroy) as well as Joel Meuli and Aimee Daniels (both East End)

Under 19: Claudia Kelly, Hannah Baker, Lucy North, Reebekaa Robinson, Sophia Birdsall, Moritz Padrutt, Trent Clarkson (all East End) plus Zac Reid, Sasha Reid, Ben McCallum, Joe Collins and Abe Larsen (all Fitzroy).