WHAKATANE WINS THREE TITLES AT N.Z. SURF CHAMPS.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 92, 1 February 1950, Page 5

WHAKATANE WINS THREE TITLES AT N.Z. SURF CHAMPS.

Whakatane’s first endeavour to contend in the New Zealand National Surf Life Saving Championships, were richly rewarded when the Whakatane women’s team scooped the pool in the women’s events at the 1950 championships at Wellington last week-end by winning the March Past Championship and the 6-Man Rescue and Resuscitation Championship, and coming second to St. Clair (Dunedin) in the 4-Man Alarm Championship. In addition, the Cambrian Shield, awarded annually for the best resuscitation performance judged over the whole of the championships, was won against more than 100 other performers by Miss C. Windley, of the Whakatane 6-man team. Only once before has this award been won by a woman competitor. Team Congratulated

The team was congratulated by Mr A. Gardner, President of the N.Z. Surf Association, on their excellent performance, especially as the outlying country surf clubs have so much less opportunity for expect coaching than the city clubs. The club has been invited by the Auckland Provincial Surf Association to send a team to Auckland to give demonstrations at the carnival to be held there on February 12 on- the occasion of the first New Zealand surf test against the Australian team, which will be in Whakatane on February 14. Judges commenting on the performance of the team in the march past said that Whakatane had put on one of the finest displays for a women’s team yet seen in a championship. Miss M. Wilson as the standard bearer was considered one of the best' in this event and her drill was said to be almost faultless. Details of women’s events:—

March Past Championship: (Holders, Wellington Ladies). Whakatane 1, Wellington Ladies 2, Island Bay 3. Rescue and Resuscitation Championship: (Arawa Shield holders, Wellington Ladies). Whakatane (M. Wilson, J. Wilson, C. Windley, K. Needham, J. Armstrong, V. Hannah) 71.60 points 1, Wellington Ladies 69.73 2, Island Bay 65.76 3. 4-Man Alarm Championship. (Holders, Wellington Ladies). St. Clair 65.06 1, Whakatane (J. Wilson, M. Wilson, C. Windley, J. Armstrong) 63.68 2, Wellington Ladies 63.43 3. Cambrian Shield for Resuscitation. Best resuscitation throughout championships, heats and finals: C. Windley, Whakatane, 1.