Tragedy inspires surf boat champions

SURF LIFE SAVING NEW ZEALAND

VICTORY: Titahi Bay score a poignant win at the North Island surf boat champs in Waihi Beach yesterday, securing the national series title. In 2000, three teenagers from the club died in a car accident on their way to the event.

INSPIRATION: In 2000, (clockwise from left) Damion Cross, 14, Samuel Delaney, 17, and Matthew Ireland, 16 died when their car went over the edge of Karangahake Gorge, between Paeroa and Waihi, on the way to the North Island champs at Waihi Beach.

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The enduring memory of three teenagers who tragically died 10 years ago has provided the inspiration for Titahi Bay winning the North Island surf boat championships.

In 2000, Matthew Ireland, 16, Samuel Delaney, 17, and Damion Cross, 14 – members of the Titahi Bay Surf Club – died when their car went over the edge of Karangahake Gorge, between Paeroa and Waihi, on the way to the North Island champs at Waihi Beach.

The mens' crew has gone to the event every year since the accident. But champion sweep Paul McVicar said that this year – which is the 10th anniversary of the tragedy – they were particularly inspired by the memory of the teenagers to win the national series title with a round to spare.

"They were lovely boys whose lives were tragically cut short. That is one of the main reasons we come up every year – so we don't forget."

Mr McVicar used their memory to encourage his crew to victory during the homeward stretch in the final.

"I was yelling and yelling and yelling and it was an emotional way to seal victory."

Club captain Byron Malcomson said the tribute to the teenagers starts each year when the team drives past the three white crosses marking the accident spot in the gorge.

"Every year since the boys passed we stop there and drop flowers off and put surf club hats there. They were great kids and they had brilliant futures ahead of them. It's just a shame they were taken from us."

The boys are also remembered when the team returns home. "We honked the horn as we went past [yesterday] saying 'See you next year, boys'."

Richard Ireland, father of Matthew, said he got a text message from Mr Malcomson just after the floral tribute and caps had been left for the boys.

"To put the flowers and surf caps there was amazing ... and to dedicate the win to the boys is just a great thing to do."

The other members of Mr McVicar's crew are Dean Ellis, Tim Marsden, Chris Martin and Ben Ashby.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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