Waikanae aims for fifth title

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31923, 26 February 1969, Page 15

Waikanae aims for fifth title

QNLY one and a half miles its home beach Waikanae’s “Handsome six” will have a magnificent chance of winning the Nelson Shield, the symbol of senior rescue and resuscitation supremacy, for the fourth time in succession at the national surf life-saving championships at Gisborne next week-end. The mature combination has again showed impressive form this season and the top Christchurch contenders, Taylor’s Mistake, second last year, and South Brighton will have to perform above expectations to have a chance of taking the title. Muriwai, of Auckland, is another club with an excellent chance of filling a place. North Island competitors Should dominate the men's senior belt and surf race championships. The brilliant 17-year-old, B. Ward (South Brighton) would have had a great chance of taking at least one title after his successes in the inter-districts carnival earlier this month, but naturally he is not risking his chances of losing the junior titles by competing in the senior events.

D. Henderson (Worser Bay), who won the surf race and finished second in the belt last year, will be a threat. Strong competition will come from N. Penwarden (Waimairi), the former Commonwealth Games swimming representative, A. H. Seagar, the winner of the harbour race at the New Zealand swimming championships, A. W. Christie (Westshore) and the Taranaki competitor, W. Clogh. The old warrior, R. Harker (Red Beach) cannot be discounted from these events. He was considered a spent force last year but

proceeded to win the senior belt for the fourth successive time and was a close second in the surf race. He was ninth in the surf race at the inter-district carnival but he seems to have the ability to produce his best form when it is needed most. Ward should win both junior titles and Mrs J. Abrahamson (nee Clark) and Mrs M. Dalton are certain to be close at the finish in their events. Mrs Abrahamson will be defending her surf race title and even though she faded in the harbour swim at the national championships she cannot be discounted. Miss B. Boberg, the 16-year-old from the Dunedin club, Moana Rua, has excellent credentials too. Mrs Dalton upset her club-mate to win the Canterbury women’s belt title and should compare very favourably in this event with the best in the country. Christchurch must be confident of victory in the board and surf ski championships with the Dalton brothers, Rex and Don and

P. Davies (Waimairi) attending the championships. D. Dalton has the N6w Zealand malibou title and R. Dalton the surf ski championship and after their continued success at the Canterbury championships there seems to be no decline in their ability. Waimairi has shone as the outstanding canoe crew in Canterbury this year. The club holds the national title and in spite of the expected challenges from the North Island crews the club will again be strongly favoured to take the title.

Canterbury supremacy in the craft events will probably carry over to the boat championship. Its top crews, South Brighton and North Beach, showed great seamanship to cross Cook Strait at the beginning of this month after inclement weather had forced the cancellation of the inaugural surf boat race. North Beach’s chances look the best but apart from South Brighton the crew will have to contend with Titahi Bay, Worser Bay and Muriwai.