Surfing trials squad

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34030, 19 December 1975, Page 20

Surfing trials squad

(By RAY CAIRNS)

A 20-man squad, perhaps top-heavy in swimmers, has been named for further trials before the Canterbury surf life-saving team of 11 is chosen for matches against Victoria in January.

The squad announced yesterday by the convener of the selection panel (Mr J. A. Lee) has nine — six seniors, three juniors — who will probably be considered solely for "the swimming events, the surf race, and the belt. The seniors are Mark Treffers, Gordon Dinnison (Sumner), Steve Johnston (Waimairi), John Symon (New Brighton), Mark Trembath (South Brighton) and Mark Niven (Taylors Mistake, recently of the Auck-

land club, Bethell’s Beach). The juniors are David Clarke (North Beach), and Eddy Box and Brian Honeybone (Waimairi). But with the programme including various craft events — single and doubleskis, malibu and long board — individual and relay beach sprints, and the individual and team medleys (iron man and taplin respectively) a great deal of diversification will be required. In both grades, for example, one of the surf race entrants will almost certainly swim the belt as well, which enhances the chances of Dinnison 4and Symon, Clarke and Honeybone.

But thereafter, it is clear the all-rounders will be those chosen, and such men

der (Taylors Mistake), and der (Taylor’s Mistake), and Kevin Baker (Waimairi) will probably come under close scrutiny for all the ski, board, and iron man events. A similar situation to the swimmers exists with the beach sprinters. Francis Lawrence (Spencer Park) has the edge on Paul Gurr (South Brighton) and a scratch relay combination will probably be based round Lawrence. The full squad is:— Treffers, Dinnison (Sumner). Johnston, Phil Davies, Geoff Walker. Gary Teear. Michael Kersten, Baker, Honeybone, Box (Waimairi), Symon (New Brighton), Clarke (North Beach), j Niven, Neate. Conder, Nigel McClurg, Ed Manco (Taylor's Mistake). Trembath Gurr (South Brighton), Lawrence (Spencer Park).

The second seires of trials will be at Waimairi at 9 a.m. on 1 Sunday,