Junior Club Championships at Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services is holding its annual end of season Junior Club Championships on Saturday, March 7.

Starting at 1pm young athletes aged 5-14 years will participate in a traditional March Past.

The march will start at the club, travel along the beach and follow a circuit to assemble on the beach in front of the surf club.

The club’s Director of Sport Natalie Lloyd says the March Past is a “real spectacle”.

“A flag bearer is chosen to lead the march from the group of eldest junior members for whom this is their last event in the Junior Surf Lifesaving programme.

“Following the flag bearer will be four more athletes from this group who will carry the club’s original rescue reel.

“They will be followed by the remaining young competitors,” Natalie says.

 So far more than 100 children are registered to compete this weekend.

At stake are ribbons for each race, medals for overall age-group champions, followed by a prize-giving where trophies and awards are presented for their achievements across the entire season.

Natalie says the community is welcome to attend the event, enjoy the atmosphere and racing, as well as a hot or cold drink and hospitality by ‘The Deck’ at the club.

“Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Junior Surf programme is a wonderful and fun way for young children to be introduced to the Surf Life Saving movement and over time, trains and develops our future Surf Lifeguards.

“It teaches surf safety, awareness and skills so families can enjoy the beach and one day they might be able to save someone else too.

“It's about developing tomorrow's lifeguards and opening up a whole new world to children.”

Natalie says Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services’ Junior Surf programme is supported by a wonderful team of volunteers from Waihi, Waihi Beach, Katikati and beyond, who dedicate every Sunday morning from Labour Weekend until early March to running it.

For more information about the Junior Surf programme go to www.waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz or email info@waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz.

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For more information, please contact:

Natalie Lloyd
Director of Sport
Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc.
027 476 6379
info@waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz

OR

Melanie Louden
Media and Communications Manager
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
021 757 433
melanie.louden@surflifesaving.org.nz