Surf Sports

What is Surf Sport all about?

Surf Sport is about fun, competition, keeping fit and being confident in the surf. Surf Sport competition was originally designed to test and perfect the skills that a Lifeguard needs to keep our beaches safe. Now the competitive aspect of surf lifesaving has grown and developed and taken on a life of it’s own and culminates each season with National Championships attended by thousands of super-fit surf athletes seeking national glory and recognition as the best of the best.

Competition puts lifeguards under pressure in the environment that they are required to perform in….the beach and surf.

Disciplines

The main Surf Sport disciplines are Board, Ski, Swim, Canoe, Beach (sprints & flags), IRB and Patrol. Within each discipline there are a number of both individual and team events that allow lifeguards to put their skills to the test.

East End offers a range of coaching and competitive opportunities across all disciplines and has a number of national title holders involved in our Surf Sport program.

When and Where?

The Surf Sport competition season kicks off each year with the SLS Taranaki Pool Champs in September and wraps up with the SLSNZ  National Championships, National IRB Championships and Patrol Teams Competition in March & April. Local competition carnivals are conducted between Taranaki clubs at East End, Fitzroy, Oakura and Opunake beaches throughout the season.  

Winter training at East End starts in June and builds leading into summer.