Prize Giving Night
4th May 2008
Coming soon …keep the date free …
SATURDAY 17th MAY
The Theme: ALPHABET ... First Letter Party
The Idea: Dress up as something that starts with the first
letter of your first name!
Details on ticket purchases have been emailed to members.
Moments of summer
4th May 2008
It’s been a mighty summer and we’ve spent a lot of time on some great beaches. That’s presented us with opportunities to capture on camera our 'moments of summer'.
The Northern Regional Championships at Mt Maunganui, January 2008. Red Beach competitors battling the surf always had plenty of support from fellow clubbies back on the beach.
Lighter moments at the Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival, January 2008. From left: Jenny Randell, Kristen Drum-Molloy, Britany Lloyd, Calais Rata.
At the Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival, January 2008. From left: Kyle Golder, Joshua Cholmondeley-Smith, Jake George, Chester Edwards.
Red Beach's under-16 competitors during the Auckland Championships at Ruakaka in February.
The Masters surf canoe crew between races during the Auckland Championships at Ruakaka. From left: Brian Maney, Sam Young, Doug Stephenson, Mike Taylor.
The Lloyd family on Ruakaka Beach during the Auckland Championships. From left: Georgia, William, Britany, Peter.
Canoe crew members between races at Ruakaka during the Auckland Championships.
Members of Red Beach's JuniorSurf division await the start of the 12/13 year-old girls' surf race at the Club Championships in March.
Fronting for the camera at the completion of the surf race for 12/13 year-old boys at the club's JuniorSurf Championships.
On hand to help run the club's JuniorSurf Championships at Red Beach in March, from left: Kevin Cornish, Mark Rice, Mark Readman, Graeme Porter.
Sam Cosgrove (seated) celebrated his 18th birthday at Ohope Beach, Whakatane, just prior to the start of the NZ Championships in March. There must have been something in the cake because he went on to win two New Zealand titles.
Awaiting the start of the beach sprint heats at the NZ Championships at Ohope Beach. From left: Ashleigh Allport, Peter Young, Ellen Young.
Lifesavers required?
4th May 2008
We often see some ridiculous behaviour on beaches, but could this be liquid lunacy?
In Zimbabwe, Africa, you will find the magnificent Victoria Falls at a height of 128m. It’s one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders and at 1,708 metres wide it's the largest curtain of water that exists.
This location is known as the Devil's Pool, a natural rock pool at the very top of the Victoria Falls and during the months of September and December it’s possible to swim close to the edge of the falls without falling over.
These falls are becoming well known within the ‘radical tourist’ industry in which a growing number of people are searching for the ultimate experience. At least the hippos and crocodiles stay a more intelligent distance from the falls. Fancy a job as a pool lifeguard?
SLSNR Awards of Excellence : 7 June
4th May 2008
Surf Life Saving Northern Region’s Awards of Excellence Night is coming up on Saturday 7th June.
This year’s event, which returns to the ASB Lounge at Eden Park, will be the opportunity to honour those members who have excelled in all areas of the organisation, from administration to sporting excellence. The Awards of Excellence recognise the true champions of surf lifesaving within the Northern Region ... the volunteers.
The function will also incorporate the 75th Jubilee celebrations which have been deferred from the weekend of 11, 12, 13 April.
Tickets to the function are $55 per head and can be ordered through Claire Maney. Details on ordering will be advised by way of an email to all club members in the next few days.
Rookie Challenge win to Red Beach
16th April 2008
Red Beach’s JuniorSurf members have snared the Perry Foundation Rookie Challenge for the second year in a row to wrap up a highly successful summer for the club.
The 5-person ‘Red’ team which took out the win was one of 16 club teams participating in the event held in choppy conditions at Mairangi Bay. Red Beach also entered a White and a Blue team.
All Rookie lifeguards were judged on a scenario and theory test which involved first aid treatment of a dislocated shoulder and the rescue of one patient from the water.
Teams then participated in a surf teams race, tube rescue relay, board rescue relay and a beach relay around a sand circuit in which the baton was a rescue tube.
Two teams – Red Beach Red and Orewa White – finished on 190 points each, however, the title was awarded to Red Beach on a count back for scoring higher points in the scenario section.
To read more on the Rookie Challenge, click here.
Overall Points: Red Beach Red (190) 1, Orewa White (190) 2, Mairangi Bay A (187) 3, Orewa Blue (181) 4, Orewa Red (177) 5, Red Beach Blue (171) 6, Sunset Beach (159) 7, Piha Red (158) 8, Red Beach White (154) 9, United North Piha (131) 10.
Red Beach JuniorSurf's 'Red' team which won the Perry Foundation Rookie Challenge. From left: Corbin Hart, Emily Pearce, Cody Richards, Mitchell Ryan, Melissa Gracie.
Surf Sports events for 2008-09
16th April 2008
National Championship events
3, 4, 5 October 2008 New Zealand Surf Life Saving Swim Championships, Wellington Aquatic Centre, Wellington
7, 8 February 2009 Lion Foundation Surf League, Mount Maunganui
20, 21, 22 February 2009 NZ Under-14 Ocean Athlete Championships, Mount Maunganui
5, 6, 7, 8 March 2009 NZ Surf Life Saving Championships, Oakura Beach, New Plymouth
28, 29 March 2009 NZ BP Surf Rescue Championships, Oakura Beach, New Plymouth
Rookie Challenge ...
16th April 2008
Our photo essay on the Rookie Challenge on 12.4.08
The members of Red Beach's Red, White & Blue teams at the Rookie Challenge. They move from JuniorSurf ranks into under-16 ranks next summer.
The Red team members work out their answers in the written component.
Red Beach's White team members at the completion of the written component.
A tube rescue being carried out by Blue team members.
Treating a dislocated shoulder under the watchful eye of a judge.
Demonstrating the recovery position was part of the test for the Rookies.
The start of one of the surf races in the Rookie Challenge.
The members of the Red team complete a 3-person tube rescue.
The board rescue event counted towards team points.
Cody Richards and Emily Pearce of the Red team complete their board rescue.
Rescue tubes were used as batons in the beach relay.
Red Beach, Crete
16th April 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
With its cobalt blue waters, sun-bleached cottages, ancient ruins and red sandstone cliffs, Crete's Red Beach is picturesque to say the least. It’s a famed nude beach located near Matala in the south of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands which lies approximately 160km south of the Greek mainland.
Made famous in 1968 when hippies from across Europe flocked to its shores, the resort at Red Beach has remained a naturist favorite for its rustic charm and its tolerance (nudity is allowed everywhere except the dining room).
Beautiful yet secluded, it can be reached only by water or on foot which involves a steep climb followed by a steep descent, in about half an hour from the village of Matala.
Red Beach takes its name from the ochre colour of the sand. While it doesn’t necessarily exude the same stunning red colors of Red Beach Santorini, it is indeed picturesque in its own right, set against golden hills and cliffs which provide a setting for some sparce, green vegetation.
Most often during the busier summer months, you can rent shade umbrellas and beach lounging chairs, but at times there are no rentals and it’s just you, your towel and whatever else you bring.
Matala View, on the hill above Red Beach, looking towards Matala Village. The ascent is steep but the view is worth the trouble and the effort. The tricky hike down to Red Beach affords some sweeping sights of the beach and the water, set against the coast’s cliffs.
At the north side of the beach the rocks are carved into ancient Minoan and Egyptian shapes, carried out a number of years ago by a Belgian man by the name of Gerard.
Red Beach Crete is primarily known for its affiliation as a nude beach. Predominantly, the nude section of the beach is kept at the northern side, however there is no strict rule against straying from this section without covering yourself.
But, do not think that you have to strip to enjoy Red Beach Crete as there is ample tolerance for all.
Gold & silver medals to AJ Maney in Perth
7th April 2008
Alistair ‘AJ’ Maney has capped off a remarkable season in the surf by collecting gold and silver medals at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in Perth.
Competing for the Gold Coast club of North Burleigh, Maney picked up his gold medal in the under-17 men’s ski relay event.
Then, in the flat water of Scarborough Beach, the venue for the championships, he paddled home second to Bulli’s Ben Griffiths in the final of the under-17 men’s ski race to take out the silver medal.
He was also a member of North Burleigh’s under-17 surf team which placed fourth and drew additional points for the club.
For the results of all the New Zealanders competing in Perth, click here and go to Live Results.
Scarborough Beach in Perth, venue for the Australian Championships.
New Plymouth to host 2009 Nationals
7th April 2008
Oakura Beach in New Plymouth is the venue for next year’s NZ Surf Life Saving Championships.
The Nationals will be held from 6th – 8th March 2009 with the NZ Masters Championships taking place on 5th March.
Oakura Beach in New Plymouth, the venue at which Red Beach has twice won the Allan Gardner Memorial Trophy for overall points, in 1992 and 2006.
Ohope and glory
7th April 2008
Red Beach masters competitors between events at Ohope Beach, Whakatane during the NZ Masters Championships in March. They returned home with a collection of medals of various colours.
Erin in contention for Beijing Olympics
30th March 2008
Red Beach lifeguard Erin Taylor (right) has become eligible to compete as a kayaker at the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.
Taylor (20) paddled the very fast time of 1:53.77 to beat her Australian counterpart Alana Nicholls by 1 ½ boat-lengths in the women’s K1 500m at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
Nicholls beat her comfortably in the original Oceania qualification race two weeks ago, but New Zealand officials successfully protested against unfair conditions.
The complaint was over clumps of weed on the Penrith course which hampered the progress of Taylor and fellow New Zealand kayaker Troy Burbidge. The International Canoe Federation upheld the protest and ordered the races be re-run.
“The selection is yet to be confirmed but it should be straightforward,” said a jubilant Taylor who has a world top-16 rating.
But it wasn’t good news for Burbidge who lost to Australian Tony Schumacher by ¾ of a boat-length in the men’s K1 500m qualification race.
Taylor will join Ben Fouhy, Steven Ferguson and Mike Walker at Beijing, pending New Zealand Olympic Committee approval.
She will also create history by becoming New Zealand’s first-ever woman flatwater paddler at an Olympics.
Legless competitor?
30th March 2008
Is it possible to have a legless beach flags competitor, or can a camera sometimes deceive you?
The event was the 12-year-old boys beach flags final at Orewa Beach during the Up&Go Auckland JuniorSurf Championships in early-March. The 'legless' competitor is Max Marshall while the actual winner was Matthew Keenan who has his hand on the flag.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Beach Series win
to Chris Moors
30th March 2008
Chris Moors (right) has taken out the men’s 1km ocean swim section of the Takapuna Beach Series for 2007-08.
He notched up seven wins from 13 starts in the 17-race series, heading off swim veteran Brent Foster and Mairangi Bay’s Brady Campbell on overall points.
The final result was based on each competitor’s best 10 finishes in the series which started on 7 November and finished on 18 March.
The Beach Series involved three disciplines, the 1km ocean swim, a 5km beach run and a 5km surf ski paddle. Competitors could participate in any one of the chosen disciplines on race night.
For the overall results from the Beach Series, click here.
Chris has headed off to Perth for the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships where he will compete in the board race, surf race and Iron Man events at Scarborough Beach.
Overall Results for Men's 1Km Swim: Chris Moors (999.17) 1, Brent Foster (998.58) 2, Brady Campbell (982.73) 3, Ross Anderson (979.19) 4, Tim Bowen (966.40) 5.
Jade’s clean sweep
30th March 2008
Red Beach competitor Jade Tuilaepa (right) was the top performer at the Up&Go JuniorSurf Auckland Championships held recently at Orewa. The seven-year-old dynamo swept all before her, collecting five gold medals from all five events held in her age group.
She won the Boogie Board race, the Run-Wade-Run, the Diamond race, the Beach Sprint and then the Beach Flags event. It’s her third season with the Red Beach club, having joined the Tadpole division at the age of five.
Jade’s father David is the coach for the boys and the girls in the A7’s group which took out 20 of the 30 available medals in their age division at the championships.
The flying squad ...
30th March 2008
We caught our flying squad in action in the beach flags event at the recent Up&Go JuniorSurf Championships held at Orewa. The pictures tell the story.
Bon voyage, Serena
30th March 2008
Surf club stalwart Serena Ball was given a warm send-off by club members before flying to South America to start her OE.
The farewell function in the clubrooms came hard on the heels of her gold medal achievement at Ohope Beach where she was a member of Red Beach’s winning ski relay team.
Serena will be in Ecuador for a month to learn Spanish before heading down to Peru, Chile and Argentina.
Mid-June will see her in Panama and Mexico for three months before flying to London to teach physical education. Then it’s a stint in Thailand and South East Asia for two months before arriving back in New Zealand at the end of January.
Can our newly qualified lifeguards then expect some hard physical training with instructions in Spanish?
Serena Ball, centre, with Caitlin Ryan and Brock Hart, the winners of the under-16 surf ski titles at the New Zealand Championships at Ohope.
Big medal haul to Red Beach at Ohope
22nd March 2008
Top Auckland club at NZ Championships
Red Beach delivered a raft of outstanding performances at the recent national surf lifesaving championships at Ohope Beach, Whakatane.
Competitors collected 11 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze medals during the course of the three-day event, enabling Red Beach to emerge as the top club from the Northern region.
In the tussle for the Allan Gardner Trophy for surf lifesaving supremacy, Red Beach finished in third place behind Midway (Gisborne) and Westshore (Napier). Close to 50 clubs from throughout New Zealand took part in the championships.
Competitive successes were right across the board with the under-16 men’s and women’s divisions being key contributors to the points table.
Overall Points: Midway (94) 1, Westshore (88) 2, Red Beach (77) 3, Mairangi Bay (65) 4, Mt Maunganui (64) 5, Lyall Bay (32) 6, Papamoa (26) 7, Orewa (26) 8, Piha (24) 9, Titahi Bay (21) 10, Fitzroy (18) 11, Waikanae (17) 12, East End (17) 13, Waimairi (17) 14, Muriwai (16) 15, Ocean Beach Kiwi (15) 16, South Brighton (13) 17, Wainui (11) 18, North Beach (10) 19, NPOB (10) 20.
Ohope Beach, Whakatane, the venue for the 2008 NZ Surf Life Saving Championships.
National champions!
22nd March 2008
We bring you our
Golden Gallery of Red Beach competitors who won a total of 11 national titles at the recent NZ Surf Life Saving Championships held at Ohope Beach.
We extend congratulations to all winners on their particularly fine achievements.
Chris Moors and AJ Maney won the very first title decided at the Nationals, the open men's Board Rescue event.
Keziah George and Caitlin Ryan teamed up to win the under-19 women's Board Rescue event at Ohope. They won the under-16 event at the 2007 Nationals.
The duo of AJ Maney and Sam Cosgrove were first back to the beach to claim the under-19 men's Board Rescue title.
Terrific Trio. Lauren Johnson, Serena Ball and Caitlin Ryan handled the Ohope surf with aplomb to take out the open women's Ski Relay title.
Jared Pouwhare and Dylan French charged across the finish line in the under-16 men's Board Rescue event to snare the national title.
Caitlin Ryan was all class in winning the under-16 women's Ski Race title. She came away from the championships with 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.
In the fiercely fought open men's Board Relay event, AJ Maney, Chester Edwards and Chris Moors put in blistering performances to nail the win.
Jared Pouwhare, Brock Hart and Dylan French continued their string of wins in the under-16 men's Taplin relay event to take out the national title.
Brock Hart, after displaying marked progress in ski paddling all summer, capped off the season with a fine win in the under-16 men's Surf Ski event.
Jared Pouwhare, Kurt Leopard and Dylan French made sure the season's hard training paid off by taking out the under-16 men's Board Relay event.
Red Beach's eleventh title came with the winning of the Senior Surf Teams race by Chris Moors, Sam Cosgrove, Jake George and AJ Maney. The team was presented with the Bone of Goodwill Trophy (above) which was given to the NZ Surf Life Saving Association by the SLSA of Australia. It was first contested in 1934 and won by the Lyall Bay Club from Wellington.
The trophy has been won by Red Beach on three previous occasions, in 1993, 1995 and 1996.
Boaties at Ohope
22nd March 2008
Red Beach had five surf boat crews competing at Whakatane, the biggest number ever entered by the club for a Nationals event. We bring you our photo essay on the occasion at Ohope Beach.
The Red Beach masters surf boat crew, affectionately known as the Cab Savs with a collective age of 263 years, sprang a major surprise at Whakatane.They won the silver medal for the open men's short course surf boat event, finishing a close second to the NZ representative crew of Titahi Bay from Wellington.
From left: Duncan Reid, John Mark, Monty McGougan (sweep), Chris McCullough, Gordon Williams.
When the surf came up at Ohope there was no shortage of excitement for the men's A crew as they headed out through the break during one of their heats.
The Red Beach Nanas crew members return to their seats as they approach the beach in the short course boat race event.
Ted Taylor sweeps his crew of Nikki Ostermann, Kate Randell, Rosie Parsonson and Jenny Randell in a heat of the short course boat race event.
The A crew of Dave Schumacher, Steve Westlake, Jamie Twigg and Rodney Stephens make their getaway through the surf. They collected the bronze medal in the long course final.
Red Beach patron Bryan Heron and wife Pat were waiting back on the beach with the revival drinks.
Jake George named in leadership group
22nd March 2008
Red Beach club member Jake George (right) is one of seven lifeguards named by Surf Life Saving Northern Region for the 2008 Perry Foundation Leadership Group.
The group will undertake a 10 months programme of events and projects that will help develop their individual skills.
The group was selected from those who attended the 2007 Perry Foundation Leadership camp and, following that experience, made application to be part of the 2008 Leadership Group.
The group will be responsible for the development, management and delivery of a number of events and programmes that will occur this year. They will be assisted by SLSNR personnel.
The events include the Youth Development Camp, the Outward Bound course, the Rookie Challenge, the Youth Forum and the Club Management Training Programme.
Leadership Group: Jake George (Red Beach), Caroline Cave (Raglan), Russell Scoones (Mairangi Bay), Claire Fitzjames (Omaha), Jacqueline Hickey, Rebecca Coldicutt, Fleur Wong (all Piha).
Red Beach on top at JuniorSurf Champs
22nd March 2008
Red Beach pulled off a stunning victory at the recent Up&Go Auckland JuniorSurf Championships, finishing more than 200 points clear of its nearest rival.
It was an across-the-board effort with all age divisions contributing handsomely to the overall points.
The all-day event, held at Orewa Beach, replaced the annual Cath & Eddie Millar Cup competition.
The championships were originally scheduled for a weekend in February but were cancelled because of atrocious weather and sea conditions.
Almost 700 competitors took part in near-perfect weather conditions.
Overall Points: Red Beach (614) 1, Orewa (403) 2, Mairangi Bay (333) 3, Piha (141) 4, Ruakaka (50) 5, Muriwai (43) 6, Waipu Cove (43) 7, United N-P (14) 8, Mangawhai Heads (11) 9, Omaha (11) 10, Sunset Beach (4) 11, Raglan (4) 12, Bethells Beach (3) 13.
Red Beach's 10-year-old boys group contributed greatly to the club's overall points score. Could the 6-packs have been the answer?
NRC's confirmed for the Mount in 2009
7th March 2008
The Northern Regional Championships will be back at Mount Maunganui in 2009.
The NRC management committee, at their recent debrief meeting, confirmed Main Beach, Mount Maunganui as the venue for next January.
There had been speculation that the two-day event would move to Waihi Beach next summer.
During the next few months the organisers plan to conduct a survey on future venues for the NRC’s.
The NRC's will be back at Mount Maunganui in January 2009.
Lifeguard patrol
3rd March 2008
Club lifeguards on patrol on a recent Sunday at Red Beach. From left: Corby Lovell, Samantha Curd, Britany Lloyd, Simon Mittermeier, Serena Ball, Naomi Young, Sam Young.
Club in the medals at Ocean Athletes
3rd March 2008
Red Beach’s JuniorSurf division has returned from the Ocean Athletes event with 13 medals.
Club members picked up 3 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze medals and finished the 3-day competition at Mt Maunganui in sixth spot on overall points. Close to 30 clubs from throughout New Zealand took part.
For story and full results, click here.
Red Beach, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
3rd March 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
Red Beach, also known as Playa Caracas or Playa del Corcho is one of the best-loved beaches on the small lush island of Vieques, 6 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico. The beach is a long stretch of powdery white sand, leading into the crystal-clear Caribbean water that turns shades of turquoise and green as it gets deeper.
Vieques Island was once the site of a large US Navy base. It found its freedom in 2003 when the Navy pulled out, creating conservation land where the bases once stood, and the island is just beginning to get its ‘tourism legs’.
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States and the Navy used Red Beach for recreation before they left, whiling away the time on this stunning beach with soft sand and even softer water.
Snorkeling here is excellent. You won’t get the variety of colours that a coral reef or rocky pier would afford but you will see stingrays, schools of smaller fish and possibly even a dolphin if you go out far enough.
The beach is framed by gently rolling green hills in the near distance. A number of small uninhabited islands and outcroppings can be seen not too far offshore. But while you’re on the beach you can pamper your feet on the soft white sand, get the perfect tan and enjoy life the Caribbean way.
Golden collection
3rd March 2008
Red Beach lifeguard Caitlin Ryan proudly displays the 13 gold medals she won at the 2008 Auckland Surf Life Saving Championships at Ruakaka in February. She broke the previous record of 11 gold medals which was set by Mairangi Bay’s Katie Pocock at the Auckland Champs held in 1997 at Waipu Cove.
Boat crews at Waihi
3rd March 2008
Four Red Beach crews competed at the North Island Surf Boat Championships held at Waihi Beach on Saturday 9th February. The event also doubled as Round 3 of the Trillian Trust boat series.
We bring you our photo essay on the event which was held in rugged surf on an overcast weekend.
The rugged surf conditions saw racing on the Saturday for just the open men's crews, with heats restricted to four boats each. Heading out through the Waihi surf, from left: Richard Beaumont, Gordon Williams, Dave Schumacher, Rodney Stephens and Craig Dillon (sweep).
High & Dry. Red Beach's two novice women's crews could only wait it out on the Saturday while the men's crews battled the surf. The women's novice division is for first year rowers. The women's surf boat races got under way on Sunday in a more manageable surf.
Rowing for the first time in the Waihi surf, from left: Craig Dillon, Stacey Dillon, Kristen Drum-Molloy, Brynn Armstrong, Karlene O'Halloran.
Away to a clean start, from left: Kate Randell, Katie Ostermann, Nikki Ostermann, Rosie Parsonson, Monty McGougan (sweep).
The women's A crew waits in the shallows for the starter's gun. From left: Lizzie Anderson, Daile Lambert, Monty McGougan (sweep), Lorraine Brake, Francie Lawson.
Crews pitch in to move a boat from the competition arena.
Stacey & Craig Dillon being interviewed by a TV2 cameraman.
JuniorSurf training
28th February 2008
On a recent Sunday morning we dropped in on a JuniorSurf training session at Red Beach. We bring you our photo essay on the activities which took place on the beach and in the surf.
Parents play an important role in coaching and supervision.
Lining up for beach sprint training.
Coach Sam Cosgrove leads a Rookie group into the surf.
Coaches and managers are drawn from parent ranks and are encouraged to attend coaching courses.
The training equipment used by JuniorSurf members is purchased by way of donations and sponsorships.
Club members who have graduated from JuniorSurf ranks are offered roles in skill training.
Children are supervised at all times, regardless of the conditions.
Golden haul, and a record, for Caitlin
21st February 2008
Red Beach lifeguard Caitlin Ryan (above) came away from the Auckland Surf Life Saving Championships at Ruakaka with a distinctly golden glow.
She was not only the outstanding competitor at the two-day event, she rewrote the history books with a haul of 13 gold medals.
The previous record was held by Mairangi Bay’s Katie Pocock who won 11 gold medals at the Auckland Championships held at Waipu Cove in 1997.
Caitlin picked up seven gold medals on the first day of competition, unaware there was a record to be broken. Just a handful of Red Beach people knew the weekend’s target was 12, however, they didn’t let on because of the concern they had for putting pressure on the talented teenager.
On the second day of competition, she didn’t disappoint and cruised home with a further six gold medals. The weekend’s wins came from two individual events and 11 team events. Surprisingly, she missed out on the Diamond Lady event by a matter of metres which would have given her a final tally of 14 golds.
To her collection she added four silver and three bronze medals.
Overall Results: Mairangi Bay (552.5) 1, Red Beach (517) 2, Muriwai (325.5) 3, Piha (245) 4, Orewa (179) 5, Ruakaka (45) 6, United North Piha (22) 7, Omaha (21) 8, Bethells Beach (19) 9, Kariaotahi (15) 10, Whangarei Heads (8) 11.
Winners at Ruakaka
21st February 2008
Our photo essay on the Auckland Championships at Ruakaka gives recognition to the many Red Beach athletes who won titles during the weekend.
We weren't able to capture every winner on camera, such were the demands of the two-day event with three arenas in operation. Nevertheless, congratulations to all who gave their best and delivered some highly impressive results.
Caitlin Ryan, Shauni Furniss and Georgia Lloyd won the under-16 women's Taplin relay. The trio also took out the under-16 board relay event.
Jared Pouwhare & Dylan French ran out the winners of the under-16 men's Tube Rescue event.
Jane Moors about to cross the finish line to win the open women's Run Swim Run event.
AJ Maney continued his string of Ironman wins, taking out the under-19 title at Ruakaka. He snared a further 3 titles during the Championships.
Serena Ball, Keziah George & Lauren Johnson were comfortable winners of the open women's Taplin relay event.
Chris Moors and Jake George teamed up to win the open men's Tube Rescue event.
Ellen Young and Ashleigh Allport showed a clean pair of heels to finish first and second respectively in the under-19 women's beach sprint.
Brock Hart put in a powerful paddle to capture the under-16 men's ski race.
Keziah George on her way to winning the under-19 Iron Person event. She collected a total of 7 gold medals at the championships.
Dylan French delivered another top performance to win the under-16 men's Ironman event. He picked up 6 gold and 6 silver medals during the weekend at Ruakaka.
Lauren Johnson ran away with the open women's beach sprint title at the Trillian Trust championships and finished the weekend with 7 gold and 2 silver medals.
Caitlin Ryan, Shauni Furniss, Tamara Ivanovic & Alysse Baldry were the winners of the under-16 women's beach relay.
Ironman double for AJ at Surf League
6th February 2008
Red Beach’s Alistair 'AJ' Maney (right) notched up a significant Ironman double while competing at the recent Lion Foundation Surf League.
Competing in Auckland’s under-19 team, he was a clear winner of the event on Day One at Mount Maunganui. On Day Two, in an extremely tight finish, he crossed the finish line just centimetres ahead of Canterbury competitor Tim Johns.
As part of his build-up, AJ spent two months training with the North Burleigh club in Queensland before returning to Auckland in mid-January.
Red Beach clubmate Sam Cosgrove (right) was also outstanding for Auckland through his swimming strengths. Named initially for the under-19 team, he received a last-minute call-up to compete in Auckland’s Open team and acquitted himself well in both teams.
AJ Maney (left) sprints for the finish line to claim his second Ironman win at the Lion Foundation Surf League at Mount Maunganui.
The wildly enthusiastic Auckland supporters in the Surf League grandstand.
Check out the tides
6th February 2008
The tide chart is proving to be a popular link on this website. If you're wanting to know the tide times for a specific day on either coast, right through 2008, click here.
Red Beach, Rio
6th February 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) wins over the tourists with its exotic, luxuriant and strange glamour. Surrounded by coconut and bamboo trees, this place is just another charming oasis of peace and calm in Rio de Janeiro, blessed with cacti, orchids, bromeliads and grassy bushes.
Praia Vermelha, known for its steeply sloping sands, is well sheltered at the foot of the Urca hill. It is found in a predominantly residential neighbourhood with an intimate small-town atmosphere. Boating is popular here.
The beach offers a stunning view of the Sugar Loaf mountain, named for its shape, which rises 396m above sea level. It offers a breathtaking panorama of Rio’s majestic beauty, with built-up areas nestled between magnificent bays and dazzling beaches on one side and abruptly rising mountains from the water, on the other side, in Guanabara Bay.
Winners at the NRC's
30th January 2008
Red Beach competitors collected four NRC titles at Mount Maunganui during the weekend of 26/27 January.
Under-19 Taplin Relay: Dylan French, Sam Cosgrove, AJ Maney, William Lloyd, Jared Pouwhare, Brock Hart
Under-19 Men's Board Race: Alistair (AJ) Maney
Under-16 Taplin Relay: Brock Hart, Dylan French, Jared Pouwhare, Vaughan Skiffington (coach).
Under-19 Surf Canoe Race: Andrew Brown, Adam Rice, Mark Broome, Jack Gurr.
Red Beach, Greece
24th January 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
Red Beach, found on the Greek island of Santorini, is a mesmerizing stretch of red sand that is set against a stunning backdrop of scaling red cliffs. As if Santorini weren’t beautiful enough, with its volcanic landscape and picturesque caldera, Red Beach adds the extra touch that helps to make the island one of the most desired tourist destinations in the Aegean Sea.
The crystal-clear blue waters contrast the stunning red-coloured sands, all set against a prolific cliff background.
Located on the southern coast of Santorini in the area named Akrotiri, Red Beach is truly majestic and you would be hard-pressed to find a beach anywhere in the world that mixes such a color scheme. Often busy during the peak summer months, beachgoers to Red Beach Santorini may find it a bit crowded, especially due to the fact that the close proximity of the cliffs to the water leaves a fairly thin strip of beach.
Some who visit Red Beach Santorini merely park the car and stand atop the cliffs for a view down, but it is worth it to make the trek down to get the full experience. The beach can also be accessed by boat from the port of Akrotiri and the port at Fira. The sun can be very strong here, and the sand is not the most comfortable to sit on, thus many choose to bask under shade umbrellas and beach lounging chairs. Nearby there are taverns and eateries offering meals and snacks.
Wave sculpture
24th January 2008
Red Beach retains Owen Chapman Cup
9th January 2008
The start of the women's Run-Swim-Run event which was won by New Zealand representative Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (centre) from the New Plymouth Old Boys Club in Taranaki.
A strong turnout by Red Beach competitors gave the club the edge to retain the Owen Chapman Cup on its home beach on Saturday 5th January.
It was the 52nd year of competition for the trophy and just three points separated Red Beach and Mairangi Bay at the lunch-break.
However, Red Beach pulled out all the stops during the afternoon’s events and went on to win the carnival for the fourth consecutive year, finishing ahead of Mairangi Bay by 21 points.
Close to 300 competitors representing 20 clubs across the country battled it out on the sand and in the tricky surf thrown up by a north-easterly wind.
The carnival was notable for the presence of members of the NZ representative team which competed in the International Surf Challenge at Bondi at the end of November.
The shining star for Red Beach was Caitlin Ryan (right) who featured in six wins. Along with three team wins she pulled off individual wins in the under-16 board race, ski race and Diamond Lady events.
Overall Points: Red Beach (147) 1, Mairangi Bay (126) 2, Orewa (97) 3, Muriwai (31) 4, Piha (16) 5.
For a full set of results, click here.
Coach Vaughan Skiffington found a novel way to move around the three competition arenas to stay in touch with Red Beach competitors.
Cub’s first 50 years available on DVD
13th August 2007
A DVD on the Red Beach Surf Club’s first 50 years is available for purchase.
This is the presentation which won acclaim when shown at the club’s 50th Jubilee celebration banquet in May 2003. It’s a memorable combination of film and photos spanning 50 great years of club activities and competition.
The response from people wanting to purchase the DVD as a keepsake resulted in good sales, to the point that remaining stocks are low and there won’t be a production repeat.
The DVD is now back on sale, available for the low price of $15.00 plus packing & postage. To print out an order form, click here.
Olympians from Red Beach club ranks
13th August 2007
It’s a little known fact that there are eight Red Beach surf club members, past and present, who have competed at the Olympic Games.
All have represented New Zealand in kayaking, while Steven Ferguson has also represented his country in swimming. Ferguson, along with older brother Alan, was a member of the club’s JuniorSurf division for three seasons in the early-nineties.
Those to have worn the Silver Fern are:
Don Cooper & John Leonard (both in 1976), Ian Ferguson (1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992), Edwin Richards (1984), Stephen Richards & John MacDonald (1988, 1992), Mark Scheib (1992), Steven Ferguson (swimming 2000, kayaking 2004).
Hopes are high for Red Beach to produce its very first female Olympian in Erin Taylor.
