Many Entries For Third Surf Carnival

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 9

Many Entries For Third Surf Carnival

TTHE Canterbury Surf x Life-saving Association's third cnampkmrtup carnival, to be held st South Brighton tomorrow, wiW probataly be the hengMt provincial contest ever held here—a fact which is indicative of the steady growth in popularity of the sport throughout toe Dominion. For toe first time since Its inauguration two yeses ago, the Kotuku Club from Greytnouto will be represented. Although outside the Canterbury province geographically, toe dub is affiliated to the Canterbury association and thus eligible to compete in its championship events. This dub has taken great steps forward in recent months and could become a force in Local surfing in the future. Another “firat” will be toe appearance of the Sumner and North Beach Chibs’ women's teams. These two new teams will contest toe women's six-man rescue and resuscitation championship, along with Waimairi, Taylor’s Mistake and South Brighton teams. Incidentally, Sumner had toe first women’s surf team in New Zealand, in the 1930’5. The premier event on the programme—the senior sixman rescue and resuscitation championship—should prove an interesting tussle. At present, the championship appears to be wide open with nearly all Clubs having a fairly reasonable chance of taking the title, depending on a favourable draw for positions. Last season, the title was won by New Brighton A, which had a reasonably low deduction of 6.4 points. Waimairi A was second with 8.15 points, and Sumner was third with 9.95 points. All three should again be well in the running. Waimairi and South Brighton are perhaps the most favoured for the title. Waimairi has

prominent surfers such u I. Greig (Canterbury representative), T. Gaskell (provincial belt champion and former Canterbury representative), and T. Stephens (former Canterbury representative), while South Brighton has the veteran competitors. A, Lee and G. Silvester (both Canterbury . representatives). Considerable interest will undoubtedly be taken in the senior teams* and individual surf race championship. The title-holder, R. Blair (South Brighton) will not be competing, and an interesting battle should develop. This event has drawn a record entry of 84 surfers—ll more than last season. It is difficult to make any predictions about this event because there are so many swimmers of much the same standard. G. Dann (New Brighton), A. Lee (South Brighton) and A. Phail (Sumner) all have an equally strong chance of taking the title. However, with a little assistance from the shoot, any one of half-a-dozen swimmers could win. G. Le Cren (Taylor’s Mistake), who won the junior championship last season, will be watched

with interest. M. Scott (New Brighton), T. Stephens (Waimairi), K. Chamber - lain (New Brighton) and L Greig (Waimairi) should all finish weM.

The senior surf ski relay championship should again prove to be a victory tor Sumner, which took first and third places lest season. K McDonald and D Quans showed their superiority when they recently won a non-championehip relay event and on form so far this season they should not be troubled to win. The Waimairi team, which was second last year, should prove the strongest opposition. As the canoe and boat races could not be held at the second championship carnival because of rescue operations, an extra series of races wall be held tomorrow. Hus means that there will be two junior races and two senior races for both boat and canoe championships.