Wellington Super Surf Boat event kicks-off the NZ Surf Boat Series

The predicted northerlies might add an element of surprise for the opening round of the New Zealand Surf Boat Series at Lyall Bay this weekend but 52 crews and 248 competitors will charge on, taking part in the Wellington Super Surf Boat event with a programme of racing across Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday will host the Open Men and Women's Long Course, U23 Men and Women's Long Course and the U19 Men and Women's Long Course events.

On Sunday morning, around 10 crews will take part in a marathon event beginning at 9.30am.

Crews will row out of Lyall Bay and west along Wellington's South coast to Island Bay, around the island and back to Lyall Bay, finishing with a short run up the beach. This is expected to take one and a half to two hours.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Sport Manager Mike Lord says there has been a great number of entries for the first event of the series which also doubles as the first selection event for the New Zealand and New Zealand Development crews.

"The crews to keep an eye on will be Piha A in the Open Men's division and the Red Beach Sirens in the Open Women's division. They both finished first at the New Zealand Championships in 2014, he says.

"Hot on the heels of Piha will be the New Brighton Killa Beez and Muriwai Mongoles. In the Open Women's division, keep an eye on North Beach's Black Betty who is in good form along with the Muriwai Cats."

Mr Lord says this first event in the series will show who has done the work over the winter months to maintain their fitness for the season.

For more information about the event 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