More than 1000 spectators witnessed local talent took to Waihī Beach on February 8-9 for the North Island Surf Boat Championships and Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Series.
The opening ceremony featured a mihi whakatau led by Sam Tangiia and Tama Thomas, with Waihī Beach School students singing a waiata to welcome the teams.
New Zealand’s surf lifesaving talent was displayed with 44 crews from across the country joining four elite Australian teams.
Competitors from Whangamatā, Athenree, Katikati and Waihī were in the mix for the event hosted by Waihī Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.
The volunteers went above and beyond to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The return of Libby Bradley, to compete for New Zealand at her beloved Waihī Beach, was among the weekend’s highlights, while the local trio of Butler boys added to their three generations of family involvement in the sport.
Bradley started her surf lifesaving journey with Waihī Beach Surf Life Saving Club as a youngster.
Named club member of the year five time (2006-2011), Bradley gained multiple medals at the Oceans Athletes Championships, including gold in Beach Flags in 2010.
Bradley has been involved in several New Zealand and Australian teams, competing across the globe.
She has represented New Zealand in surf lifesaving with the Junior Black Fins and the Black Fins, travelling to Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Rowing surf boats in Australia, Bradley learned the sport with Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club (Gold Coast).
Returning to Waihī Beach as co-captain of the New Zealand Oar Blacks Women’s Crew (Red Beach Bullet) was a special moment for her.
“I was super excited to be back at Waihī Beach, racing for New Zealand with my crew,” Bradley said.
“Surf lifesaving has played such an important part in my life, and I’m grateful to still be involved.”
The Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Series saw the New Zealand Under-23 teams claim victory.
Australia won the series overall, proving too strong in the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions.
The Butler boys – Rian, Luke and Aidan – were part of the Waihī Beach Under-23 Men’s crew, finishing fourth in the North Island Championships behind Australia’s Under-23 Men’s crew, Titahi Bay Two Stroke, and Paekākāriki.
They raced well in the Champion of Champions event, making the A-Final and placing sixth overall.
Father Darren Butler and grandfather Dennis were both on the beach in support, continuing their long-standing connection to Waihī Beach Surf Lifeguard Services.
Luke and Aidan are both current students at Waihī College, a great glimpse of the talent making its way through the ranks.
The Waihī Beach Under-23 Women’s crew also had an impressive performance, featuring Maddie Schnackenberg (Athenree), Tammy Richardson (Katikati), Zeta Schuler (Waihī) and international lifeguard Meg McCloy from Wales.
It was a family affair for the Schuler clan.
Schuler’s mother, Nicole Clare, was the only female sweep in the competition, guiding the crew in the Champion of Champions event.
While Schuler herself performed the New Zealand national anthem and her dad Paul, performed the Australian one.
Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club entered a mixed crew, as they rebuild their surf boat programme.
Their previous Under-23 Men’s crew proudly represented New Zealand in the last Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Series, but with many of those rowers at universities around the country now, the club is in a development phase.
Some of Whangamatā’s former rowers featured in New Brighton SLSC’s Open Men’s crew, which took home bronze in the North Island Surf Boat Championships.
With many young competitors on display, the event helps prepare up-and-comers for both surf sports and frontline lifeguarding – an important part to play in New Zealand life.
