White Island race
IT was a fitting finish as a familiar name won the White Island Race title in a milestone year.
Christchurch’s Zac Quickenden celebrated the race’s 50th year on Saturday by being the first back for the fourth time.
His time of 27min 20sec was about six minutes off the record, as he led the way in the men’s ski paddle through a 1.5m swell around White
Island and back to St Clair Beach.
It was one of several impressive performances on the day.
St Clair’s Max Wolf had a similarly strong performance, his time of 1hr 20min pushing the record as he finished as the first swimmer back.
Fellow St Clair athletes Lucy Matehaere and Emma Christophers also claimed titles in the female ski paddle and women’s board respectively.
Matehaere also won the handicap trophy.
Another St Clair competitor, Black Fin Andrew Newton, had a strong return home in winning the men’s board.
Black Fins duo Devon
Halligan and Marty McDowell won the double ski.
St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club chairman Cam Burrows was thrilled by how the day went.
‘‘I think, overall, it was just a great day at the beach,’’ he said.
‘‘There were 120 people entered, which was a record number of entries.
‘‘We had people from all clubs, from Kaka Point all the way up to Mount Maunganui.
‘‘The esplanade was packed. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and a great event.’’
While the event attracted people from out of town, a lot more came from further afield this year to mark its 50th anniversary.
That had included four Black Fins in Newton, McDowell, Halligan and former St Clair competitor Andrew Trembath.
Burrows said all had given very positive feedback.
‘‘They all said it was a great event.
‘‘It was a great day. We were so lucky with the waves. They couldn’t believe how cool the beach is.
‘‘The atmosphere and the esplanade just added to the event.
‘‘I think that’s pretty cool coming from people who have represented their country, to say that about a wee local event run for free.’’
Veteran Bart Smaill, with his mate John Bryant, made it round White Island on their double surf ski but had to be picked up about 100m from entering the waves coming back. The steering on the ski was not working and the pair found it difficult to get back to the beach.