The GB Weekly - 12 January 2024

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Friday 12 January 2024

Tata swimmers make a splash

ROSA HASN'T SENT CAPTIONS YET

Competitors in the 1200 metre event at last Sunday's Tata Swim return to the beach. Photo: Rosa Volz. ROSA VOLZ

The sea was calm, and the nervous energy was palpable as 105 swimmers took to the waters at Tata Beach last Sunday. The occasion was the 2024 Tata Beach Swim – previously an annual event, held again for the first time since 2019. The event has two categories, 600m and 1200 metres, and saw competitors swim from Ngawhiti Island to Tata Beach (short course), or from Tata Beach to Ngawhiti Island and back to the beach (long course). Race director Brendan Crequer tells The GB Weekly, “It’s been five years since

we last held the swim, so to see it run today is really good. We have a field (aged) eight to 80 years old. The turnout is great, we had lots of support from Nelson come across. The event is run by Nelson Tri Club and supported by Golden Bay Swimming.” The importance of safety was obvious, with spotters from Golden Bay Kayaks, Pōhara Boat Club, the harbourmaster, and locals on SUPs keeping a close watch on competitors. Following a karakia and safety briefing, the short course wave departed at 10.13am, with the long course swimmers departing to loud

scenic flights

just stunning

cheers at 10.30am. All competitors were back to shore and the beach returned to its usual activities by 11am.

RESULTS

Short 600m - Overall 1. Tandia Fisher, age 13, time 9:30.4 2. Zak Gibbs, age 27, time 10:04.1 3. Stu Balfour, age 56, time 10:16.2 Long 1200m - Overall 1. Josef Scott, age 21, time 14:33.4 2. Hayden Squance, age 25, time 14:55.8 3. Christoph Bartneck, age 50, time 16:37.8

Bay busy and buzzing JO RICHARDS

Golden Bay is at its busy best, buzzing with holidaymakers eager to make the most of the long, hot sunny days and the Bay’s many attractions. The “no vacancy” signs popping up everywhere indicate that accommodation providers are booked out, with many saying business is back to pre-covid levels and noting significant numbers of international visitors. Another sign of a return to pre-covid times is the appearance of freedom campers who have been spotted at several popular sites. Tourism operators are also enjoying good business but, for those in hospitality, the picture appears to be mixed – arguably the result of a squeeze on discretionary spending. Golden Bay Visitor Centre manager Jasmine Polglase reports steady foottraffic over the peak period. “Between Boxing Day and 8 January, we had 1328 people through our door; it’s been fairly consistent – our biggest day was 29 December with 173… It’s a real mix of Kiwis and internationals, with quite a few family groups and extended families – and we’ve had festival goers around.” Heaps of holidaymakers have pitched up at local campgrounds. As is usual over the Christmas and New Year period, Pōhara Top 10 Holiday Park has been packed. “It’s brilliant – we are absolutely full to the brim,” says office manager Robin Bridger. Meanwhile, in Tukurua, the manager of Golden Bay Holiday Park Peter Hartley is as happy as his campers. “Businesswise things are great, very busy with our regular Kiwi families, but also a great mix of internationals in campers and rental cars.” Further along the coast, Pakawau Beach Park has been virtually full since the end of November. “We’ve been extremely busy – a lot busier this summer,” says manager Gary Riordan, adding that it’s set to stay that way. “It looks like there’s no end of it at this stage… After Waitangi Day I might be able to breathe again.” It’s the same story at Farewell Gardens in Pūponga where high demand from Kiwi and international visitors is exceeding campground capacity. “We are achieving good, steady numbers of guests on a daily basis, more enquiries than we can accommodate,” says co-owner Nicola Hartless. “We have been fully booked for each day for quite a while now which, fingers crossed, will continue well into the New Year.” Continued on page 3

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Inside: High School Duxes Movie review Cat desexing Upcoming events THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 12 JANUARY 2024

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