Surf Lifesaving Surf Sports is a dynamic blend of athletic competition and essential lifesaving skills, promoting fitness, teamwork, and readiness for real-world rescue scenarios.
Surf Sport
Fun, Fitness, and Competition
Surf Sport combines fun, fitness, and competition, serving as an essential aspect of lifeguard training to ensure peak performance in and around the surf.
Events
The core Surf Sport disciplines include Paddle Board, Surf Ski, Swim, Canoe, and Beach events (such as sprints and flags). Each category features a variety of individual and team events, providing lifeguards with opportunities to showcase and enhance their skills.
East End Surf Club offers a comprehensive coaching programme across all disciplines, led by a head coach supported by assistant coaches who specialise in specific events. This ensures tailored training to meet the needs of all participants.
When and Where?
The Surf Sport competition season kicks off each year with local club carnivals in November and December. It progresses to regional events in January and February, culminating in the National Championships in March.
Local carnivals are held at Taranaki beaches, including East End, Fitzroy, Oakura, and Opunake, throughout the season. Competitors participate in Under 16, Under 19, and Open age groups, with events generally divided into male and female categories, although some mixed-gender events are also included.
Want to Learn More?
For more information about Surf Sports, contact our Senior Surf Sport Coordinator.
IRB Racing
Leading the Way in IRB Excellence
East End Surf Life Saving Club takes immense pride in its outstanding IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) programme. The commitment of our members to the lifeguard movement is evident through their active involvement within the club and the wider community.
To ensure IRB crews maintain their skills at the highest level, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) organises regional and national competitions. These events are both exhilarating and rewarding, fostering a strong team spirit as our crews race together to achieve individual and club goals. Each crew consists of a driver, crewman, and patient, working seamlessly to succeed.
IRBs play a critical role in lifesaving, enabling swift and effective preventative measures and rescue operations during patrol hours. Impressively, over 70% of all rescues in New Zealand are performed using IRBs.
Beyond patrolling, IRBs provide essential water safety support for both Junior and Senior Surf Life Saving competitions, external water events such as sea and lake swims or triathlons, and are indispensable during water-based search and rescue missions.
At East End SLSC, our IRB section embodies the values of teamwork, skill, and dedication, contributing significantly to the safety and success of our community and beyond.
Surf Boats
A Thrilling and Growing Sport
Surf Boat Rowing is the fastest-growing sector in Surf Life Saving Sport in New Zealand. Governed by Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ), the sport is regulated with clear rules and safety criteria, ensuring a fun and secure experience for all competitors.
This dynamic sport involves a crew of four rowers powered by the guidance of a “sweep,” who steers the boat from a platform at the rear using a long sweep oar. Races begin on the beach, where the crew sprints to their boat, leaps in, and rows 300 to 400 metres out to a buoy at sea. Upon reaching the buoy, the sweep directs the boat around it for the return leg. The race then becomes a high-stakes dash back to the shore, where catching a wave can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The event concludes as one crew member dashes up the beach to cross the finish line. Depending on the crew’s fitness and skill level, races typically take 6 to 8 minutes to complete.
Surf Boat competitions are divided into Under 19, Under 23, Open, and Masters categories for both men and women. The competition season includes local carnivals in Taranaki, regional carnivals nationwide, and culminates in the prestigious National Championship at the end of summer.
East End Surf Life Saving Club is proud to support this exhilarating sport with top-quality equipment and experienced coaches, creating an environment where participants can thrive and the sport can grow. Whether you’re interested in becoming a sweep, an oarsman or oarswoman, or simply want to learn more, we welcome you to visit the club and experience the excitement of Surf Boat Rowing firsthand!
Old Croc’s Swim Team
East End’s Elite Adult Swim Team
The Old Crocs are East End’s premier adult swim team, renowned for their exceptional skill, endurance, and passion for swimming. Competing in a wide range of swimming events both nationally and internationally, they represent the pinnacle of dedication and camaraderie within the club.
Training sessions are held every Wednesday and Sunday, with countless kilometres logged in the pool as they continually push their limits. Each session is a testament to their commitment to improving technique, building endurance, and fostering a strong team spirit.
Beyond the pool, the Old Crocs are an adventurous group who embrace the beauty and challenge of open water swimming. They frequently embark on expeditions across the country, navigating rivers, lakes, and coastlines, turning each journey into a new opportunity for exploration and achievement.
Whether competing on the world stage or tackling a new aquatic adventure, the Old Crocs exemplify what it means to combine athleticism, teamwork, and a love of swimming. They inspire both club members and the wider community, proving that age is no barrier to pursuing excellence in sport and adventure.
