R. DALTON SEEKS SIXTH SURF SKI TITLE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30668, 6 February 1965, Page 13

R. DALTON SEEKS SIXTH SURF SKI TITLE

WHEN the brilliant North Beach surfer, Rex Dalton, faces the starter in the final of the Canterbury surf ski championship at New Brighton tomorrow he will be preparing to defend a title he has won five times in succession. His amazingly consistent record of wins has not been equalled in the colourful history of the Canterbury Surf Life-Saving Association and at this stage there seems little possibility that he will be stripped of the title which has almost become his personal property.

Dalton is in fine form and it will have to be an exceptional performance that forces him to accept defeat. But competition in the surf is rarely entirely predictable; he could be surprised by a freak breaker; any one of a hundred things could happen to prevent him winning. Nevertheless, his un-

questioned ability gives him

a far better chance of tri-

umphing over an awkward situation than anybody else. A win in the Canterbury event will be a useful indication of his chances of retaining the New Zealand championship he won last season for the second time for the opposition will be virtually as strong as that which he will encounter in the national event.

Among Dalton’s strongest opponents are his brother, the New Zealand representative, D. Dalton, a former holder of both the national surf ski race and surf ski rescue titles, G. Ealam (Waimairi), the current New Zealand surf ski rescue champion, M. Stevens (Waimairi), the Canterbury surf ski rescue champion, M. Lord (Sumner) and another former national title-holder, D. Quane (Sumner). K. McDonald (Sumner), who won the national title in 1961, is also entered but has moved to Wellington and is a doubtful starter.

Another feature event of the third championship carnival will be the senior surf race championship, which has attracted 80 entries. Heading the list is the New Brighton swimmer, G. Dann,

who has won the title for the last two seasons in succession and successfully retained his belt title a fortnight ago.

His strongest opposition seems likely to come from D. Staples (Waimairi), who finished a surprising third in the inter-provincial surf race, J. Hughes (Waimairi), A. Lee (South Brighton), L. Mclntosh (North Beach), and G. Le Cren (Taylor’s Mistake). Another Taylor's Mistake competitor, P. Hatchwell, who defeated a high class field in the Canterbury surf race trial some weeks ago, is also a strong contender.

In the paddle board championship, also to be decided tomorrow, the title-holder and present national champion, D. Dalton, will have to reach top form if he is to be successful, especially if McDonald is a starter. McDonald has won both the national and Canterbury titles on several occasions and is generally recognised as one of the most versatile competitors in the country.