Wind and tide issue a challenge

While the old guard is in control at the front of the field, a bunch of young teenagers are clipping at their heels in the Rylock Swim Series in Nelson Harbour.

At race four on Thursday, Hayden Squance and Abbey Smale both recorded their third wins in the men’s and women’s divisions from the four races so far, while Terry Bone took second place overall, adding to another second and two third placings so far in the season.

Eddie Swain, 14, came in third, ahead of Abbey. Newcomer Robbie Budge was fifth overall, followed by Corey Tremblay, Finn Bryant and Emily Chadderton, all 14-years-old.

Emily leads the women’s section on points, having swum in all four events so far this season.

The sea was calm before the racing started, but kicked up from the north as 101 swimmers set off on the longer race over 1km.

There was some tidal assistance on the first leg from the yacht club out to the ‘dolphin’ navigation marker, but on the second leg back towards Rocks Rd, the wind and tide from the north pushed swimmers sideways in an increasing chop.

The third leg back to the ramp was hard work, slogging into both tide and wind, with two swimmers withdrawing on this section.

Age group competition was fierce. Terry Bone effortlessly leads M40-49 with four consecutive wins, as do Emily (U-16 women), Hayden (M20-29), Lucy Barron (F20-29), Fran Harris (F30-39), Denis Cooper (M60-69) and Eileen Searle (F60+).

In the select group of swimmers without wetsuits, Steve Malthus and Geoff Lart continued at the top of the men’s table, while Jude Vincent recorded her third win in the women’s division.

In the short swim over 500m, Brianna Mckay, 12, recorded her second win, ahead of Sophie Pahl, Keshia Linyard and Keisha Old.

Dylan Bell, 12, was the first male swimmer to finish, ahead of George Backhouse and Ollie Rooney.

A field of 29 all finished the 500m race.

Swimming in the series continues on Thursdays for the next 14 weeks.

Information and full results and nelsonseaswims.co.nz.