Masters Champions excel at TSB Surf Life Saving Champs

15 March 2018

Masters Champions excel at TSB Surf Life Saving Championships

Omanu Surf Life Saving Club has won the TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Masters Championships by 150 points at the first day of the national event, held this weekend in Gisborne.

Held at Midway Beach, the four day carnival kicked off today with the 30-year-old and over Masters competition which Omanu won by a substantial margin, meaning their nearest rivals would have needed to score almost double points to get the win.

Coming in second was Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service on 160 points, who had a comfortable buffer to the charging teams behind.

Rounding out the podium in third was Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club from Wellington on 87 points.

The top five was completed by Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club and top-placed locals Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club on 68 and 64 respectively.

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships event manager Scott Bicknell said they couldn’t have asked for a better day to start the four day competition off.

“The weather and surf have both been absolutely perfect so it has been a fantastic first day. All of the athletes have thoroughly enjoyed the day and we’re already looking forward to tomorrow which we hope will be the same.

“Today was all about the masters and we always enjoy seeing them compete, although sometimes we do forget that a few of them are in their 60’s and 70’s which is quite impressive. To be competing in these events when you’re 78 years old is incredible and really shows their dedication to surf lifesaving.”

Some of the oldest competitors this year in the TSB Surf Life Saving Masters Championships were from Omanu, Lyall Bay, Palmerston North and South Brighton who were aged 67 and 78 in the women’s and men’s categories respectively.

The event continues tomorrow with the senior division from 8.00am at the Midway Surf Life Saving Club, before continuing over Saturday and Sunday. Spectator entry to the event is free.

Athletes, their supporters and spectators are encouraged to join the conversation online with #Surfnats18 and #SLSNZ.

You can view results from today and throughout the weekend at this link: http://liveresults.co.nz/sls

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Masters Championships – Top 5 Results

Omanu SLSC, 313 points
Mt Maunganui LS, 161 points
Lyall Bay SLSC, 89 points
Whakatane SLSC, 68 points
Waikanae SLSC, 64 points

Ends

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