SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 10

SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS

PATEA’S SUCCESS AT OPUNAKE. (Own Correspondent) PATEA, Feb. 15. When Patea carried off the coveted Tabor Shield the supreme award in Taranaki for surfing at Opunake last Sunday, they recorded the first win in the history of the club in this event. The representative of the Taranaki centre on the New Zealand Surf Council (Mr. A. Ross) remarked that the standard of the competitions he had witnessed was among the highest in New Zealand and in congratulating Patea, remarked that the club had greatly improved its standard. In the Tabor Shield in the first heal Verney and Haining recorded good times to give Patea a lead on waterwork and this was maintained in the drill. Their time was Bmin. 25secs.: Old Boys, who were next, recording Bmin. 33secs. In the final Patea contested Fitzroy, winners of the second heat, but Fitzroy were disqualified. Patea drew Pepperill as patient and Sopp in the belt. Pepperill fighting out a duel with Saunders. Reaching the buoy first, Pepperill gave Patea a break of a few seconds, which Sopp made good. When Patea reached the buoy they began to haul in and if was found that the Fitzroy line was crossed and their beltman was also being hauled to the beach. Fitzroy were thus disqualified, and Patea had only to complete the test to win the event. Their performance was a good one despite the mishap to Fitzroy, and the time was Bmin. 55secs. The Patea team was: Pepperill (patient), Sopp (belt), Adams (reel), Verney (first line). Haining (2 line), Oakley (3 line). Old Boys were the holders.