Locals hunt defending champions at TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service has built an early lead after the first day of racing at the TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships held this weekend in Gisborne.   

The Bay of Plenty team built up a 10 point buffer to end the day with a total of 45 points after taking first place in a variety of events including the Under-19 men board relay, open women beach relay and the open men board relay.

Held as part of the four day carnival at Midway Beach which started yesterday with the 30-year-old and over Masters competition, the event dubbed Nationals amongst lifeguards has attracted over 1,000 athletes to the beach today.

Chasing down the leaders in second and on 35 points is local team Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, who have 51 athletes in the event.

Finishing in third is Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club from Auckland's north shore, who end the day on 18 points.

Only one point behind them in fourth place is Hawkes Bay team, Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Life Saving Club on 17 points whose placing got boosted by strong beach sprint and beach relay results. 

The top five is completed by Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club on 14 points.

The results show that clubs from all around New Zealand are amongst the best here with a good mix of regions placing in the top 10, showing the talent that exists around the country, with hosts from Midway Surf Life Saving Club sitting outside the top 10 in 13th.

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships event manager Scott Bicknell said it has been a full on day of action at the beach but everything has gone as planned.

"It has been another great day here in Gisborne and we're really happy with how everything has gone today. The weather has been perfect again and the locals have been fantastic. We've enjoyed seeing a lot of Gisborne locals coming to see the action and the new changes to the waterfront which I know the lifeguards have enjoyed too.

"There are also a few good battles going on between clubs but everyone is really enjoying those. It's great to see athletes from different clubs pushing each other to the limit."

The event continues tomorrow at Midway Beach in Gisborne from 8.00am before continuing on Sunday where it will finish at approximately 3.00pm.

Join the conversation online with #Surfnats18 and #SLSNZ. Click here to see a full list of results.

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships - points

1. Mt Maunganui LS, 45
2. Waikanae SLSC, 35
3. Mairangi Bay SLSC, 18
4. Ocean Beach Kiwi SLSC, 17
5. Papamoa SLSC, 14
6. Fitzroy SLSC, 12
7. East End SLSC, 6
8. Omanu SLSC, 6
9. Piha SLSC, 5.5
10. Red Beach SLSC, 5
11. Taylors Mistake SLSC, 4
12. Orewa SLSC, 4
13. Midway SLSC, 3.5
14. Titahi Bay SLSC, 2
15. Waimairi SLSC, 2
16. Wainui SLSC, 1

For more information, please contact:

Alana McIsaac
Phone: 027 515 7157
Email: media@surflifesaving.org.nz