The Whakatāne swimmers competing at the 2025 Eastern Region Pool Rescue Championships in Gisborne exceeded expectations with most picking up medals in some capacity, whether as a team or individual.

The team coached by Simon Wills was one of the biggest from Whakatāne to contest the event for some time with 17 children and four adults competing.

As a club, Whakatāne finished fifth overall.

The master’s team of Cathryn Rowlands, Catriona Manning, Jeremy Bain and Wills finished second in the 4x50-metre manikin and medley relay and third in the 4x50m obstacle relay to cap off a strong day in the pool.

Rowland and Manning teamed up to win the masters line throw for females, while Bain and Wills won the men’s equivalent.

Bain had a busy campaign as he picked up second place in the masters 100m manikin carry with fins, 100m manikin tow with fins, 50m tow with fins, 50m carry with fins and a third in the 100m swim with obstacles.

The under-12 female relay team of Riley Miskell, Winter-Rose Lawn, Sadie Erickson and Jessica Standen picked up a first-place finish in the 4x25m brick relay and a second place in the 4x50m relay to go with their fourth in the 4x50m obstacle relay where they narrowly missed the podium.

Angus Bain, Kai Wills, Brett Douglas and Fergus Fletcher teamed up in the under-12 boys and picked up three third place finishes in the 4x25m brick relay, 4x50m obstacle relay and 4x50m medley relay.

The under-14 boys’ team of Archie Thompson, Hunter Lawn, Ted Toogood and Taj Leader picked up two, third place finishes and a fifth placing.

In the under-17 division the team of Dominic Rowland, Harper Thompson, Sachin Marston and Nikau Deane picked up two, third placings and a fourth place.

One of the best on display for the Whakatāne surf lifesaving team was Dominic, who excelled in the under-15 individual events, helping himself to victory in the 50m rescue medley manikin, 100m manikin tow with fins, 50m manikin carry with fins, while he was second in the 10m manikin carry with fins to finish second overall in his division.

"I enjoyed it really well because it was fun and racing with my friends, and I was also shocked with my performance."

He said it was a great event to be part of.

"My highlight was the experience at Gisborne and competing with surf club mates from around the country who I don't normally see during the winter. I was really stoked with my results and to come back with some good racing performances from my winter training.”

Angus in the under-11 section had a second and a third place to go with his fourth and fifth.

Fergus helped himself to second overall in the under-11 boys’ section with two seconds, a fourth and a fifth.

In the female under-12 section, Winter-Rose bagged two third placings.

She may not have medalled individually but Araikura Moses-McRoberts showed promising form and indications of a bright future with her fifth, seventh and ninth placings.

Masters’ female Rowland had a superb championship, finishing second overall in her 45-49 age division and picking up three second place showings to go alongside two third placings.

Manning was the best on display as she finished first in all five of her events to place first overall.

The surf lifesaving season is quickly approaching with registrations open and the first day of the season scheduled for November 9.





WINNERS: Cathryn Rowland and Catriona Manning competing in the rope rescue.