2008 Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie

8th June 2008

2008 Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie


Over 2000km’s travelled.  15 petrol stops. 35 heats surfed. 2 Lakes visited and 4 gorges conquered and The 2008 Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie had come to an end.

 

The roadie chugged along from Auckland to Greymouth and back all within 6 days.  The aim was to compete at the 2008 NMD/Mountain Dew Blaketown Challenge and for a number of The 2008 Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie riders the goal was to place solidly across one of the five divisions.

 

Blaketown turned it on for the riders with 2 days of excellent waves in the 1.5 - 2.5 metre range.  Over the 2 days of competition The Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie crew surfed a combined total of over 35 heats, including riders in each of the five finals.

 

The highest placed rider was Sam Peters who took out the Dropknee title for 2008 with Duncan Smith coming a respectable 3rd.  Peters was the lone soldier in the Open Men’s division and ended up with a solid 5th - a great effort given the number of talented riders at the event and the fact he had already surfed about 4 hours that day!!

 

Luke Elliot placed a close 2nd in the Under 18 division and Mitch Tombleson 4th.  Both guys surfed really well throughout the event with some of the best scores of the entire competition coming from the Under 18 division.

The two girls that came along on The 2008 Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie were well rewarded for their efforts.  Mihi Wells blitzed the field and was a clear winner in the Women’s division with several excellent scoring rides with deep tubes and launches off of the wedging sections.  Melanie McElwee came in 4th place in the very hotly contested Women’s final.

Last but not least was the Amateur division which is aimed at getting the younger, less experienced guys in to competitive bodyboarding.  Aran Naismith surfed an excellent final and took out first place with Navare Taylor dropping to third place after copping an unfortunate interference in the final.

 

All in all the 2008 Britz/Interislander Blaketown Challenge Roadie riders all did superbly well with some great results across all the divisions.  With an awesome crew on board it was a great adventure for everyone with new friendships forged and great times had by all.


This road trip would also not have been possible without the awesome support of Britz and Interislander.  If you are ever looking at heading on a road trip or wanting to get away be sure to check out Britz for their wide range of campers and motorhomes and Interislander for ferry travel and Cook Strait adventures.

 

For any info please contact Kevin McAlister on 0274256992 or at bbsnz@xtra.co.nz

 

                                            www.britz.co.nz

                                       www.interislander.co.nz