New Zealand's pinnacle pool rescue event
Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships
Lifeguards and aspiring lifeguards from clubs across the country race for speed, skill and teamwork — and for selection into our national lifesaving teams.
Event Details
About the Championships
The Aon NZ Pool Rescue Championships is New Zealand's pinnacle pool rescue event. Lifeguards and aspiring lifeguards compete for their clubs, demonstrating speed, skill and teamwork against fellow members from across the country.
It is also one of the key selection events for our national lifesaving teams, making it a significant date for any athlete with representative ambitions.
What to Expect
- Three days of pool rescue competition
- Individual and team events across age groups
- A key selection event for New Zealand teams
- Live timing and results throughout the weekend
Planning Your Trip
- The venue is on Auckland's North Shore, in Rosedale
- Team managers should read the Event Entry Circular
- Join the TeamReach group for official communications
- Check the programme for your event times before you travel
Entries
All entries are submitted by your club, not by individuals.
Talk to your club
Entries are made online through Waves. Your club has access to this system and will process your entries, so contact your club captain or team manager to register your interest.
Meet the deadline
Entries close Monday 14 September at 10:00am. Late entries will not be permitted. Clubs may set an earlier internal deadline, so check directly with yours.
Fees are invoiced to your club
The entry fee is $100 per competitor. Following the close of entries, fees are invoiced directly to your club for payment prior to the competition.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Entries open | Monday 6 July 2026 | Open |
| Entries close | Monday 14 September 2026, 10:00am | Open |
| Late entries | Not permitted | Closed |
| Pre-existing medical declarations due | Prior to the close of entries | Open |
| Event dates | 2–4 October 2026 | Confirmed |
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
All participants with a pre-existing medical condition must complete and submit a Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Declaration form prior to the close of entries. Forms are submitted to the Event Manager by email, and participants are encouraged to send them as early as possible. Once submitted, SLSNZ will review the form and decide whether a Competitor Waiver is also required.
Key Documents
Live Results & Communications
Follow every race as it happens, and stay across official updates.
Swimify Live Timing
Swimify is our live timing platform for the Aon NZ Pool Rescue Championships. Follow results in real time — split times as they happen, lane draws, the approximate time schedule and points.
The web version is free but is not optimised for phones. For mobile, download Swimify Livetiming from the App Store or Play Store (subscription based).
TeamReach
All official communications with clubs are conducted through the TeamReach app. Download TeamReach, then join the group 2026 Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships using the code below.
2026NZPOOL
New Zealand Pool Rescue Records
The current national pool rescue records, maintained by SLSNZ and updated as records fall.
Our Partnership with Aon
Major Partner of Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
Every record broken in this pool starts with a skill that saves a life on the beach.
Aon is a Major Partner of Surf Life Saving New Zealand and holds naming rights to two of the country's pinnacle competitions — the Aon NZ Pool Rescue Championships and the Aon NZ Surf Life Saving Championships. Between them, these events span the full range of lifesaving skill, from the controlled environment of the pool to the surf itself.
Pool rescue is where technique is sharpened and where many of our national representatives are first identified. Aon's support makes that pathway possible.
Contact
National Event Manager, Surf Life Saving New Zealand
For entry queries, please contact your club in the first instance. Clubs manage all entries through Waves. Pre-existing medical condition forms should be emailed directly to the Event Manager above.