Final fling as Halse heads Bay hopes at inter-districts champs | Bay of Plenty Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Bay of Plenty

If this is the end, Hayden Halse hopes to go out in style.

The Papamoa surf lifesaver is in what may be the last Bay of Plenty under 16 team heading to the inter-districts championships, this weekend at Omaha Beach in Auckland.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand has recently disestablished provincial bodies, leaving the future of the annual under 14 and under 16 national carnival up in the air.

Halse's main motivation, however, will be proving his rise through the surf ranks is as dramatic as his growth spurt since last representing his province two years ago.

"The last time I measured myself, I was about six foot two [1.89m] and had grown about a foot in the last couple of years - that extra height has helped pretty much everything," the 16-year-old Halse said.

"I can get so much extra depth on the board and my paddling has picked up as well. But the big difference this year has been my swimming. I trialled for the inter-districts last year and missed out, so went away and did a lot of swimming in the winter. I'm still not quite one of the top swimmers but it means I'm a lot closer for my strong legs."

Halse has dominated his age-group this season, winning the under 16 board race, ski race and ironman at the Waihi senior carnival before Christmas and the Omanu Classic three weeks ago.

He'll be joined by several other age-group stars in the Kurt Wilson-coached under 16 team, including Natalie Peat, Cara Ryan, Danny Kayes and Caitlin Proctor.

Wilson also has big hopes for Mount College beach sprinter Kodi Harman.

"Kodi is a speed machine and I'll be very keen to see how he goes," Wilson said. "It has been a very competitive team to select, with some very talented athletes missing out this year."

While the under 16s were second to Northern Region last year, under 14 coach Paul Kayes is going for his fifth title in seven years, after the younger team romped home in Mount Maunganui last season.

"We want to win the double, both the under 14 and under 16 competitions and go out with a bang and be able to retain the trophies forever," Kayes said.

He has three members of last year's winning team back, in captain Jess Miller, Kahleia Josephson and Hannah Scown.

"Those three are very talented across a range of disciplines but the boys won't be outdone by the girls.

"Ben Cochrane and Ben Johnston have racing extremely well recently and Andre Lee has been in great shape on the board."

Teams: Under-16: Cara Ryan, Josh Lee, Katrina Radley (Mount Maunganui), Daniel Kayes, Hayden Halse, Kodi Harman, Hamish Smith, Natalie Peat, Kathryn Stewart, Caitlin Proctor (Papamoa). Coach: Kurt Wilson. Manager: Marg Cosgriff.

 Under-14: Jessica Miller (captain), Matt Hyde, Andre Lee (Mount), Ben Cochrane, Hannah Scown, Katie Wilson, Thomas Probert (Omanu), Ben Johnston, Kahleia Josephson, Nicole van der Kraay (Papamoa). Coach: Paul Kayes. Manager: Greg Rieger.