Scene set for Whangamata Surf carnival

Over 650 athletes are set to descend on Whangamata this Saturday for the annual Whangamata Classic.

Jointly hosted by Surf Life Saving Northern Region and SLSNZ Eastern Region, the carnival is set to bring some of the country's best to compete.

Following on from his success over at the Lifesaving World Championships in France, New Zealand team member Max Beattie will be one of the athletes to keep an eye on in the Open Men's competition.

A large number of the New Zealand Youth team will also be competing including Olivia Eaton, Maddison Kidd, Jasmine Smith, Hannah Williams, Ben Johnston, Jake Hurley, Matthew Scott, Jacob Hales and Maia Bryant. New Zealand Team Assistant Coach Jason Pocock is also set to compete.

Some other names to look out for include Kelsi Boocock, who returns from an injury that ruled her out of the Youth World Champs, and former New Zealand team members Steven Ferguson and Morgan Foster along with the Red Beach Sirens in the Surf Boats arena.

This year will see a huge field being represented in the Under 16 and Under 19 age groups along with a massive contingent of Red Beach athletes, with 106 entered.

Saturday's events will include beach sprints, beach flags, surf race, board race, ski race, iron/diamond and taplin plus canoe and surf boats.

The first events start at 9am with the beach events running concurrently with water events across the day.

For more information about the Whangamata Classic, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz