Old dogs perform tricks at surf lifesaving champs

The old dogs dished out some new tricks on the first day of the national surf lifesaving championships in Whakatane today.

New Zealand captain Glenn Anderson gave his remarkable collection of national titles a boost on Ohope Beach, while 34-year-old Morgan Foster also grabbed another beach sprint crown to add to his accumulation.

Anderson's joy was two-fold. His partner and New Plymouth Old Boys clubmate Ayla Dunlop-Barrett won the first final of the day, the women's run-swim-run, ahead of Piha teenager Kirsty Wannan, with Westshore's Nikki Cox third.

Minutes later, Anderson took out the open men's final ahead of Dunlop-Barrett's younger brother Dylan.

Anderson's run-swim-run success was his fifth at national level, and his 29th New Zealand open win. He didn't have to wait long for his 30th, pairing with the younger Dunlop-Barrett late in the day to win the board rescue.

Foster, meanwhile, relished the hard-packed sand of Ohope, pipping defending champion Ben Ryan and arch-rival Paul Cracroft-Wilson on the line.

It was Foster's fourth sprint win since his first in 1998 - he's also chasing his 10th flags title on the beach tomorrow.

Mount Maunganui's Chelsea Maples picked up the women's sprint title, just heading home former world champion Holly Moczydlowski and Danielle Melody (New Plymouth).

The women's board rescue title was shared between Midway's Maddie Boon and Lucy Gavin and Westshore's Nikki Cox and Lydia Diver, after Midway grabbed a late wave and sprinted up the beach.

Ayla Dunlop-Barrett sealed a memorable day with a bronze in the board rescue, teaming with Jamie-Lee Reynolds.

Mount Maunganui have the early honours in the race for the Allan Gardner trophy for the top club at the nationals, with 21 points to second-placed New Plymouth Old Boys 15 and Papamoa third on 14.

- NZPA