Surf’s up for Titahi Bay crews
Titahi Bay men’s and women’s surf boat crews will be flying the New Zealand flag in Australia next month.
After battling brutal surf conditions at the Whangamata Surf Boat Spectacular on January 4, the Titahi Bay men’s crew was selected as having the best qualities to compete at the Australian surf rowers league in Shellharbour, near Sydney, on February 19 till 21.
The Titahi Bay team, of Jon Boyd, Brett Hamer, Jordan Tyrell, Chris Middleton and Wil McDowell impressed with their speed, teamwork and consistency during the Whangamata event, and one at Lyall Bay in November.
At Whangamata, the teams had to row through two-metre swells and heavy rain.
Boyd said winning through in the terrible conditions made their New Zealand selection even more sweeter.
‘‘It is a massive honour to represent our country, but we know we have a lot of work ahead of us,’’ he said.
‘‘Fortunately we’ve done quite a bit of racing in Australia as a crew, so hopefully that will help us.’’
A New Zealand women’s team will also be selected in the coming weeks. Along with these two teams, two development crews under the age of 23 have been selected and the women’s crew is from Titahi Bay.
Team selector Clayton Kellett said it was a tough decision, but the Titahi Bay under-23 crew was of an extremely high calibre.
It is made up of Georgia McLaren, Kathryn Kinvig, Tessa McPherson, Tracey Mills and Tim Marsden (sweep).
The next round of the New Zealand surf boat series is in Waihi on February 6 and 7.