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A junior surf lifesaving event that attracts more than 1000 entries will be held at Orewa Beach this summer.
The U14 NZ Surf Life Saving Championships (also known as Oceans 18) is an annual event for lifesavers in the 10-13-year age bracket, which attracts clubs from all over the country.
It will be hosted by Orewa Surf Lifesaving Club on March 1–4 – the first time it’s been held outside Mt Maunganui. When Oceans 18 was opened up to other clubs for the first time, Orewa was keen to bring it to Auckland and obviously put forward a strong proposal.
Club president John Chapman says hosting the event, which is run by Surf Lifesaving NZ, is great for the profile of the club, especially as it works on its rebuild. “We’re confident we can put on a great event and we know what we’re in for, as regular hosts of the Northern Regional junior championships,” he says.
John says that the hometown advantage has seen teams from the Mount and Papamoa dominate the event in the past. He says Orewa will be fielding a team of around 60 young lifesavers, and Red Beach Surf Lifesaving Club around the same. “I’m hoping that the hometown advantage will see Orewa and Red Beach do better than ever,” he says.
It is the biggest surf lifesaving event that has been hosted in lifesaving’s Northern Region since 1988, but John says that the club is well prepared.
Because the event is for young lifesavers, it has a carnival atmosphere with entertainment provided for competitors’ younger brothers and sisters.
The club is working closely with business association Destination Orewa Beach, as there are big potential spinoffs for local businesses.
Visitors and locals alike are invited to come down and take in the atmosphere and watch the competition as our local lifeguards compete for national titles in a range of disciplines. Events take place from 10am on March 1 until 2pm on March 4.
Weather could be the only hiccup. John says that Plan B is to relocate to Stanmore Bay, if needed.
