A scorching hot weekend proved the perfect backdrop to another successful Heretaunga
Hastings Manu Comp at Havelock North Village Pool on Saturday.
Entry numbers continued to grow in the event’s third year, with about 100 competitors showing off their skills and vying for a spot at the Z Manu World Champs in Auckland next year.
Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst said it was a fantastic day for both the competitors and
spectators, with about 500 people enjoying a special day at the pool.
“This is such a cool event that’s been going from strength to strength each year. Three years ago then-Flaxmere Councillor, Peleti Oli, had the vision to create a local competition for manu enthusiasts,” she said.
“It was a great success in that first year, and was soon followed by the creation of the Z Manu World Champs. It was really wonderful to see so many people of all ages giving it a go and having an awesome day at the pools with friends and whānau.”
Councillor, Wendy Schollum joined the judging table this year and said as someone who thought she’d perfected the classic ‘bomb’ back in the day, she was blown away by the skill and precision the manu competitors brought to the table.
“To get top points, it wasn’t just about the splash – judging criteria included style, splash height, sound impact (the all-important ‘boom’ as they hit the water), and jump height, which had to be achieved without a running start,” she said.
“The creativity was next-level. One competitor, knowing that scoring those coveted style points meant standing out, blew the judges a kiss mid-air just before executing their manu.
“Others committed to impressive Superman-style flying moves before impact. The mix of skill, flair, and showmanship made judging this event an absolute blast, and it’s incredible to see how manu culture has evolved into such an art form.”
The competition comprised four divisions, and the winner of each automatically qualified for the world champs.
All finalists received prizes ranging from Stirling Sports vouchers to Noxon hooded towels and Splash Planet passes.
Results:
Manu tamariki kids (Ages 8-12)
1st – Ruka Clarke-Waapu
2nd – Kaya Waapu
3rd – Kanzis Dixon Watson
Manu rangatahi youth (ages 13-17)
1st – Stanton Ropiha
2nd – Haami Brown
3rd – Boyden O’Donnell
Manu pakeke adults (ages 18+)
1st – Deshay Timu
2nd – Petera Kahui
3rd – Campbell Ohara
Freestyle (all ages)
1st – Stanton Ropiha
2nd – Javan Pahau
3rd – Chris Currey.
