Longboard comp called best ever

 

Pumping swell conditions greeted lifeguards from around the North Island for the 26th Annual Lifeguard Longboard Nationals. 

The annual event, hosted by the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS), enjoyed conditions for the 2018 competition that many were calling the best ever.

Two metre-plus swell broke all day at Mangawhai Heads for the April 7 event. The boisterous conditions, where a boat ran aground on Head Rock Friday evening and flipped another on the bar Saturday morning, also claimed two snapped boards, a broken leash and a few surfers brushing the rocks – but conditions were perfect for a surfing contest.

The fiercely competitive Open Men's Division saw 24 surfers from clubs including Karekare, Bethells, Ruakaka, Raglan, Whangarei Heads, USA, Orewa, Omaha and Mangawhai Heads. 

Standout surfers in the early rounds included Michael Ripley (Omaha), Kyle Taylor (Ruakaka) and Jess Costello (MHVLS). 

Conditions in the final were very challenging with solid 4-foot sets rolling through. In the end it was a close battle between Tony Baker (MHVLS) and Matt Scott (MHVLS) with Scott taking his maiden win in the event. Scott was dominant all day and the bigger conditions suited his progressive style.

In the Junior Division Cory Vercoe (MHVLS) dominated the final, even after having to rescue Billy Whelan's (MHVLS) board from the rocks after his leash snapped. Runner up in the Division was young Orewa surfer Dylan Vujcich who put on a good display of traditional surfing.

The women’s finals saw Jess Costello (MHVLS) successfully defend her title, picking off the best waves in the heat. Brenna Bishop (Bethells) also surfed well as did Mollie Erskine (Raglan).

The Over 45 or Masters Division saw some of the original crew competing in near perfect conditions. Tai Flavell (MHVLS) was a standout as was MHVLS life member Graham Darlow. However it was mulitple finalist (Open Mens) Eti Eves (Bethells) that picked off the best waves in the final to win.

The contest was a true spectacle for all involved with absolutely amazing waves and competition all day. Some were calling it the best ever event in it's 26 year history.

- GROUP PHOTO/Robyn Weir, SURF PHOTO/RawPhotography.mx

 

RESULTS Open Men: 1 Matt Scott (MHVLS), 2 Tony Baker (MHVLS), 3 Eti Eves (Bethells).  Women: 1 Jess Costello (MHVLS), 2 Brenna Bishop (Bethells), 3 Mollie Erskine (Raglan). Classic: 1 Joe Moohan (Karekare), 2 Eti Eves (Bethells), 3 Hira Edmonds (Bethells). Masters: 1 Eti Eves (Bethells), 2 Rhys Powell (Omaha), 3 Tai Flavell (MHVLS). Junior: 1 Cory Vercoe (MHVLS), 2 Dylan Vujcich (Orewa), 3 Billy Whelan (MHVLS)

Competitors wind down after a day of competition in superb conditions. – PHOTO/Robyn Weir


Open Men winner Matt Scott was dominant in the big surf and against a big field. – PHOTO/RawPhotography.mx