Nathan Wolf and Alex Thomson compete in the Surf Nationals at Ohope Beach by David Thomson

Wolf and Thomson shine at Surf Nationals

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Year 12 students Nathan Wolf and Alex Thomson have backed up their medal-winning performances in the recent South Island Surf Lifesaving Championships, with strong showings at this month's National Championships at Ohope Beach, in Whakatane.

Moving up to the Under-19 age grade for the first time, the pair squared off against around 200 of the country's top 16-18 year old surf athletes.

Nathan made the finals in the surf race and ski race individual events. Nathan also joined Alex in the three-man St Clair team that made it through to the finals of the relay and board relay events.

As well, both made it to the semi-finals in the premier individual event, the Ironman (this race comprises a swim leg, and legs on the surf ski and rescue paddle board). Alex also made the semi-finals in the Under 19 tube rescue.

Along with battling their rivals, the boys had to face some of the toughest surf conditions ever seen at the sport's senior national championships. Indeed, conditions were so tough towards the end of the final day that the blue ribband team event - the Open Men's Taplin - was cancelled on safety grounds.

Summary of Results
Nathan Wolf
Finalist in U19 Men's Surf Race, Ski Race, Ski Relay, and Board Relay.
Semi-finalist in Ironman.

Alex Thomson
Finalist in U19 Men's Ski Relay and Board Relay. Semi-finalist in Ironman and Board Rescue.