Surf league team want redemption

By Kelly Exelby | 12th February 2010

A year ago they limped off their home beach, battered and broken after an embarrassing fall from the top of the perch.

But a rejuvenated Andrew Newton has promised the ignominy is over as the province rebuilds and seeks fresh success at this weekend's Lion Foundation Surf League - surf lifesaving's glamour event - on Mt Maunganui's Main Beach.

Fifth last year, Bay of Plenty have seriously rejigged their line-up for the seven region, two-day showdown, with 23-year-old Newton - the Bay skipper - conceding the lingering stench of defeat was difficult to expunge.

The reigning national board race champion shoulders a heavy workload this weekend with six events but believes Bay has a lineup to rival reigning champions Taranaki and perennial contenders Auckland and Gisborne.

"I still don't know what went wrong last year but that's history - we've got the coaches we want, as well as the personnel, and I know fifth's not where we want to be. We're better than that.

"We're all aware this year that consistency's such a big thing with the surf league, you don't have to go out and win everything. Cutting out the DQ's, so we're not handing points to other teams, and cashing in on the powerplay (double points on a nominated event) is essential."

Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times