N.Z. Surf Titles

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28210, 23 February 1957, Page 5

N.Z. Surf Titles

EARLY 800 competitors will take part in one of New Zealand’s most spectacular sports at the New Zealand surf life-saving championships at Lyall Bay, Wellington next week-end.

The total entry, 784, is a record, and with the standard of performance higher than ever—as indicated by the success of the New Zealand team in Australia competition should be extremely keen. Forty-seven clubs will be represented at the championships.

The main event of surf life saving, and undoubtedly the hardest to win, is for the Nelson Shield (senior six-man rescue and resuscitation). At present the title is held by South Brighton, which has an excellent chance of retaining the shield. It wilL however, meet strong opposition from Maranui, New Brighton, Taylor’s Mistake, Eastern United, and Fitzroy. , Last year at Oreti Beach. South Brighton had a particularly successful week-end, winning the senior and junior six-man rescue and resuscitation events and the senior march past. The team was also placed in the senior fourman alarm and senior beltman’s events. It could well do the same this year. Last year’s surf and belt champion. Paul Garratt (Taylor’s Mistake) must again have an excellent chance. His task will probably be harder, as three of the 1956 team, R. Harker (Waitemata), J. Jarvis (St. Clair), and B. Cotterill (Castlecliff) proved in Australia that they are in Garratt’s class. Harker, especially, has been swimming remarkably well and has the ability to rise to the occasion. C. Chambers, J. Ryan (New Brighton), R. Woodill (Waitemata), and M. Haxton (Maranui) are also likely to be in the forefront of both surf and belt races.