New Zealand's top suf lifesaving talent will get a major boost this summer with the launch of the Sonic Race Series.

The series, which starts at the Eastern Surf Sport carnival in Whangamata on December 17, will feature five rounds of racing in iron, board, ski, swim, sprint and flags. The top-10 ironmen and women will also have a bonus grand final round during the Oceans 12 event in Mount Maunganui in late February.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand have launched the series on the back of a hugely successful centenary season, which featured the Festival of Surf Sport. The series has been developed in response to calls for more top-end racing opportunities has been guided by a working group of athletes and coaches.

The series aims to provide more competitive racing for surf athletes across the country and boost the quality of fields at our four regional championship events. With the Rescue 2012 world championships less than a year away, the addition of more top level racing couldn't be more timely.

Fierce competition is expected for the inaugural titles of Sonic Race Series champions. Ironmen and ironwomen will battle it out for a winner-take-all grand final with two custom made Sonic paddle boards up for grabs worth $2250 each, while board, ski, swim, sprint and flags series winners will also receive prize packs to the value of $500.

Following Whangamata, the series will move to Central Regionals (January 15, Oakura), Eastern Regionals (January 28-29, Mount Maunganui) and Northern and Southern Regionals (February 18-19).

The series will be raced in open age groups with the top-10 finishers in each round collecting series points.
Competitors need to enter the series in addition to the individual events but there is no entry fee for the series. Entries close on January 14 so provisionally all starters at Whangamata can claim series points. Series competitors must race in a minimum of three rounds. Full details are available in the entry memo when season entries open on Monday 7 November.

From Monday click here to go to the Sonic Race Series page.