Over 1000 surf lifeguards head to Gisborne for national competition

The biggest surf lifesaving sport event of the year, the TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships, is set to descend on Midway Beach in Gisborne this week with almost 1350 athletes entered into the event.

The four day carnival, organised by Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ), sees 1345 athletes come to Gisborne to compete across both the Masters (aged over 30 years) and Senior (aged from 14 years and over) divisions in a variety of surf, beach and boat events.

 45 Surf Life Saving Clubs from around the country, from as far south as Kaka Point (one hour south of Dunedin) to as far north as Waipu Cove in Northland, are coming to Gisborne to compete in the annual event.

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships event manager, Scott Bicknell said he's looking forward to returning to Gisborne for the first time since 2015, where the beach promises to offer some close racing.

"Gisborne locals are always very welcoming and the beach is perfect for the event. While it can often provide a big swell, it always provides some good challenging conditions for athletes and the elevated height of the beach provides the perfect viewing platform.

"We also have dozens of highly skilled athletes registered for this weekend so some of the races will be very close. Some of our New Zealand team (Black Fins) are also competing so the calibre of athletes is among some of the best you'll find at an event like this." 

Mr Bicknell also acknowledged the "incredible support" of officials, volunteers and sponsors who have made the event possible.

"We are fortunate to have over 160 officials and volunteers who have taken time out of their busy lives to be at this event. Plus of course, we wouldn't be able to do it without the support of TSB New Zealand so thank you to all those people for helping put this event on."

TSB New Zealand Manager Community Engagement Zaneta Ewashko says they're proud to support the 2018 TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships in Gisborne.  

"We're always impressed by the calibre of lifeguards out there on our beaches every year, protecting individuals' and families' futures and we love seeing their skills showcased in their pinnacle event of the season."

Mr Bicknell also added: "We would also like to acknowledge all of our other supporters including ECT and the Gisborne District Council who have invested a lot around the beach, walkways and access for the event which we're very grateful for."

The event gets underway at 8.30am this Thursday with the Masters category at the Midway Surf Life Saving Club, before continuing from 8.00am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the Senior competition. Spectator entry to the event is free.

Athletes, their supporters and spectators are encouraged to join the conversation online with #Surfnats18 and #SLSNZ.

You can follow live results during the weekend at this link: http://liveresults.co.nz/sls

 

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships - Clubs and number of athletes

Bethells Beach SLSP, 13

East End SLSC, 27

Fitzroy SLSC, 15

Kaka Point SLSC, 8

Lyall Bay SLSC, 44

Mairangi Bay SLSC, 70

Maranui SLSC, 14

Midway SLSC, 29

Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service, 83

Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service Inc, 20

New Brighton SLSC, 23

New Plymouth Old Boys SLSC, 11

North Beach SLSC, 9

Ocean Beach Kiwi SLSC, 49

Omaha Beach SLSC, 1

Omanu SLSC, 34

Opotiki SLSC, 12

Oreti SLSC, 4

Orewa SLSC, 55

Paekakariki Surf Lifeguards, 55

Papamoa SLSC, 46

Piha SLSC, 76

Pukehina Surf Rescue, 15

Rarangi SLSC, 9

Red Beach SLSC, 69

South Brighton SLSC, 12

St Clair SLSC, 9

St Kilda SLSC, 1

Sumner SLSC, 7

Sunset Beach LS, 11

Taylors Mistake SLSC, 21

Titahi Bay SLSC, 31

Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc, 16

Waikanae SLSC, 51

Waikuku Beach SLSC, 4

Waimairi SLSC, 12

Waimarama SLSC, 17

Wainui SLSC, 25

Waipu Cove SLSC, 6

Warrington SLSC, 4

Westshore SLSC, 31

Whakatane SLSC, 13

Whangamata SLSC, 16

Whiritoa Lifeguard Service, 3

 

TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Masters Championships - Clubs and number of athletes

Brighton SLSC, 4

Lyall Bay SLSC, 16

Mairangi Bay SLSC, 11

Midway SLSC, 4

Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service, 24

New Brighton SLSC, 6

North Beach SLSC, 5

Ocean Beach Kiwi SLSC, 11

Omaha Beach SLSC, 3

Omanu SLSC, 34

Opotiki SLSC, 1

Orewa SLSC, 21

Paekakariki Surf Lifeguards, 2

Palmerston North SLSC, 1

Papamoa SLSC, 5

Piha SLSC, 4

Pukehina Surf Rescue, 5

Red Beach SLSC, 10

South Brighton SLSC, 2

Sumner SLSC, 3

Taylors Mistake SLSC, 5

Titahi Bay SLSC, 2

Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc, 1

Waikanae SLSC, 16

Waikuku Beach SLSC, 2

Waimairi SLSC, 6

Waimarama SLSC, 11

Wainui SLSC, 9

Waipu Cove SLSC, 5

Warrington SLSC, 5

Westshore SLSC, 11

Whakatane SLSC, 8

Worser Bay LSC, 2

 

 

For more information, please contact:

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