SURF LIFESAVING: HB development manager has high hopes for top three wins at nationals

Shane Hurndell | 10th February 2010

Several firsts will be created when the Hawke's Bay teams step on to the beach at Mount Maunganui for the start of Surf Life Saving New Zealand's national Surf League on Saturday.

The Bay's open team will boast its first brother-and-sister swimming duo in Chris and Clair Benson. While it will be Chris' debut in the league, Clair will be making her debut in the under-19 section and competing in the open and under-19 sections for the first time.

Their Ocean Beach Kiwi clubmate and national kayaking champion, William Wilkins, will be making his debut in the league and his under-19 teammate, Megan Beattie, of the Westshore club, will also be a first-time competitor at SLSNZ's glamour event.

Despite these firsts, Surf Life Saving Hawke's Bay development manager David Beattie has every right to be optimistic about the Bay teams' chances of securing top three finishes.

"Looking at the under-19 team on paper I would like to think they've got a chance of winning again," said Beattie referring to Hawke's Bay winning the under-19 section in 2007 and 2008 before dropping to fourth last year.

Eighteen-year-old Clair Benson is confident she can handle the swimming for both teams.

"My job is a lot easier than it is for people who choose to do the ironman events for both teams," said Clair.

The Victoria University-bound student was the patient for the open IRB team at last year's league and was an early withdrawal after an injury in their first race. She hadn't made surf league teams prior to last year.

"I've got rubbish surf skills," said Clair who was then reminded by Beattie about the vast improvement she has made under the coaching of Jess Berridge-Hart.

The Napier Aquahawks swimmer, who will represent the Capital club when she arrives in Wellington, regards herself as a 100 and 200m freestyle specialist. However the fact she can complete 400m in under 4m 25s gives her the nod for both teams.

Her 19-year-old brother has stopped the clock at 4m 10s for 400m despite being a 100m freestyle specialist. Chris has completed his first year at Victoria University and represents the Karori Pirates Swimming Club in Wellington.

He is more than happy with his build-up to the Mount and said his training has been complemented by his thistle-grubbing holiday job.

Wilkins, 19, is in his first year of surf lifesaving and will have a specialist ski role this weekend. With his kayaking background, which includes six firsts and a second placing at last year's nationals, Wilkins was always going to be an asset to the surf lifesaving scene. "Most of us kayakers do surf lifesaving ... the two codes are complementary," said Wilkins who also attends Victoria University.

A Napier Girls' High School Year 12 student, Megan Beattie, is a board and ski paddler who captured the under-16 board title at last year's nationals.

"I've put in a lot of effort and am happy with my training. I'll step up whenever required," said Megan who will be eligible for the under-19 team until the end of the 2012 surf league.

An extra incentive for competitors this weekend is the fact New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett and his team of selectors are using the league to help finalise their 12-strong squad for the October world championships in Egypt. SportToday will be surprised if the Westshore pair of two-time world champion, Nikki Cox and Dan Moodie, aren't in the team announced in April.