Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club under›10›year›olds had notable success at the Otago/ Southland SLS Championships hosted at Clutha’s favourite beach over Waitangi weekend.
Fitness, endurance, dynamism and dexterity were put to the test as amphibious athletes from Kaka Point, Brighton, Warrington, St Kilda and St Clair went head to head in competition on land and in the water.
Sand sprints, swimming, watercraft and multisport events were contested by all ages and the local team made an impressive showing.
Kaka Point SLS team members Shelley Povey and Fiona Wilkinson were especially pleased with the performance of the nippers — junior lifesaving cadets.
‘‘Competing against all the clubs in Otago and Southland, our junior competitors took out 24 first place golds. We have a super strong junior group who trained all season with extra sessions weekly throughout the summer holiday. They deserve their victory and we couldn’t be more proud of them,’’ Mrs Povey said.
‘‘Official results will be up [online at the SLS Live Results website] soon, but we were training three times a week and had kids coming first or placing in most of their events,’’ Mrs Wilkinson added.
‘‘It was a tough day to begin with but it cleared up nicely,’’ Kaka Point SLS veteran Doug Henderson said, reporting that St Clair, Warrington and St Kilda took the top three spots in the overall adult competition.
There was enthusiasm among organisers and competitors to see SLS tournaments receive coverage similar to mainstream sports.
