Trust Waikato Sunset Beach - U19 Surf Boat
Sunset Beach U19 Surf Boat Crew - Third at North Island Champs and 3rd in Champion of Champions race. Check this link to the Surf lifesaving site for the report:
It was a wet day with some rough surf for the first day of the North Island Surf Boat Champs at Waihi Beach. Taking two hours to get through the first heat of the Short Course, each race had it's share of excitement and carnage. 60+ teams entered the champs making it one of the largest competions. I stayed for the first race of the U19 boat crews and it too had it's share of challenges. First time out at Waihi for our new U19 crew The Hipsters with Mikey Waldergrave sweeping. It was Mikey's first time in rough surf and he held the crew together well gaining some valuable experience and bring the crew home unscathed (even with a dip in the sea to start). Ted's crew had some upsets going out and coming back in, meeting Waihi and Bethells a few waves into the row, three boats came together. On the way back in, Bethells broached and took out our sweep oar (see photo of broken oar). Ted's Young Guns managed a 4th but we can see they deserved a better finish. Expect to see some good finishes for the rest of the weekend based on this first race.
