Over 200 athletes ready to take on Eastern Regional Pool Champs

The surf sport season begins for the Eastern Region this weekend with their annual pool championships in Hamilton.

The Eastern Regional Pool Championships is the first competitive event for local clubs ahead of the new surf lifesaving season which officially begins next month.

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service once again has the largest number of entries with 56 athletes taking part however neighbours Papamoa will put on the pressure with 41 athletes.

Individual and team points will be accumulated across the events for the purpose of awarding top club honours.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Sport Manager Mark Inglis says this year, Masters points will also count towards the overall top clubs points.

"This has seen a marked increase in the number of entries with 30 Masters taking part which is fantastic to see," he sees.

The annual event, which is open to all regions but is largely attended by clubs from the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Auckland, is being held at Waterworld in Te Rapa.

Featuring events ranging from manikin carries and obstacles to line throw and rescue medleys, the events are based around rescue capability and are specific to saving people's lives- what surf lifesaving is all about.

Racing begins at noon on Saturday and concludes with prize giving on Sunday afternoon.

Live results will be posted at http://liveresults.co.nz/sls or on the SLSNZ App. Keep an eye out on the Eastern Region Facebook page for updates through the event.

Entries:

East End SLSC- 1
Fitzroy SLSC- 3
Mairangi Bay SLSC- 12
Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service- 56
Omanu SLSC- 25
Orewa SLSC- 8
Papamoa SLSC- 41
Piha SLSC- 3
Red Beach SLSC- 6
Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services- 20
Whakatane SLSC- 20
Whangamata SLSC- 4
Whiritoa Lifeguard Service- 6
Total= 205

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Smith, Media & Communications Manager
Phone 0276 488 823 or email lisa.smith@surflifesaving.org.nz  or

Mark Inglis, Eastern Region Sport Manager
Phone 027 457 1021 or email mark.inglis@surflifesaving.org.nz