Competitive

LIfesaving

Enjoy The Competitive Side of LifeSaving

Competitive Lifesaving is a significant component of who we are as an organisation.  All our Junior, Senior and Master members have the opportunity to participate in local, regional, national and international competitions. Unlike other sports, the purpose of our competitions is to improve lifesaving skills and fitness to keep our beaches safe.

Competitive Lifesaving in the Senior part of the Club is different from the Junior Club in that there is a wider range of events for Seniors and there are a number of team events. In Senior Competitive Lifesaving most people tend to concentrate on only a few events.  Correct uniform must be worn and equipment is provided by the club.  If you are interested in joining a crew or team, we can help you with this.

Senior Competitive LIfesaving

As a qualified Surf Lifeguard you are able to participate in regular competition events against lifeguards from other Surf Life Saving Clubs. The objective of Competitive Lifesaving is to improve the fitness and skill levels of lifeguards in a challenging competitive environment.

Pre-requistes to participate in Training Sessions and Competitions

  • you must have a current Surf Lifesaving Award and complete the annual refresher course (as must all Lifeguards) or working towards this if new to Surf Life Saving.

  • you must be a current financial member

  • you must have paid your senior sports fee

  • you must complete a minimum of 20 patrolling hours each season prior to Nationals.  Your hours can be made up by completing 20 patrolling hours or 15 patrolling hours plus 5 hours of lifeguard development such as completing a First Aid Course or volunteering at Junior Surf)

From local surf competitions to our national championships, competitive lifesaving brings the membership together and provides opportunities for Nippers through to Masters to develop and compete across a huge range of disciplines.

There are a number of Surf Sports Competitions that run throughout the season at Regional and National levels.  You can visit the Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) and Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) websites for specific event details.

Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club offers formal training and coaching programs for you to learn and develop skills in the various individual disciplines and team events such as:

  • Beach Sprint & Flags

  • Ocean Swimming (Surf Race / Tube Rescue)

  • Board

  • Surf Ski

  • Surf Boat

  • Surf Canoe

  • IRB Racing (Qualifications required)

  • Pool Champs

  • Master’s

2025-2026 Season Events

Pool Rescue Competitions

  • 20 July 2025 - Short Course Interclub. National Aquatic Centre, Auckland. 

  • 3 August 2025 - Long Course Interclub. National Aquatic Centre, Auckland. 

  • 6-7 August 2025 - Northern Region Pool Rescue Champs. National Aquatic Centre, Auckland. 

  • 26 - 28 September 2025 - Aon NZ Pool Rescue Championships. National Aquatic Centre, Auckland. 


Ocean and Beach Competitions (as of 8/6/25)

  • 16 August 2025 - Rangitoto Classic. Takapuna Beach.
    A return ski paddle from Takapuna Beach to Rangitoto Island, with a run up to the Summit (there is also a shorter parallel paddle and Takapuna beach run for less confident athletes). A PFD (lifejacket) and running shoes are required.

  • 18 October 2025 - Long Distance Challenge. (usually at Ōrewa)

  • 8 November 2025 - Senior All In. (usually at Ōrewa)

  • 29 November 2025 - Mount Monster. Mt Maunganui.

  • 6 December 2025 - Whangamata Classic. Whangamata. 

  • Early January 2026 -  Owen Chapman Cup. Red Beach.

  • 23-25 January 2026 - Eastern Regional Championships (ERC’s). Mt Maunganui.

  • TBC - Northern Region Championship.

  • 5-8 March 2026 - Aon NZ Surf Life Saving National Championships (Nationals). Ōhope.


Surf Boats

  • 6 December 2025 - Whangamata Classic. Whangamata. 

  • 7 December 2025 - NZ Surf Boat Trial. Whangamata.

  • TBC - Central Region Championship.

  • TBC - Eastern Region Championship.

  • 7-8 February 2026 - North Island Surf Boat Championship. Waihi.

IRB Competitions

  • 22 November 2026 - Eastern Region IRB Championships. Papamoa.

  • TBC - Central Region IRB Championships.

  • TBC - Northern Region IRB Championships.

  • TBC - North Island IRB Championships.

  • 27-29 March 2026 - BP NZ IRB Championships. Waikanae, Gisborne.


    If you are interested in training and competing in Pool, Ocean and Beach Competitive Lifesaving, please email fi.lysaght@orewasurfclub.org.nz or admin@orewasurfclub.org.nz

Uniform

Mandatory Uniform

  • High Visability Vest or Long Sleeve Rashie, Skull Caps and Silicone Caps are available for purchase via the Ōrewa website online shop.

Optional Club Merch

  • Optional Club Merch will be available for pre-order at certain times of the year.

  • Orewa Surf Life Saving Club uniform colour is Royal Blue.

Swimwear

  • You can purchase any brand of togs/briefs or jammers but they must be Royal Blue, but we recommend the Jolyn swimwear range as they are good quality, have a great range of styles, Orewa printing is available and customer service is great.

  • Click here to view the Jolyn Swimwear range

During Any Club Training

  • You must wear the club skull cap and a high visibility vest.

  • A wetsuit can also be a great addition to keep warm throughout the season when the water is cooler. 

When Attending Surf Competitions

  • Competitors must wear the club skull cap and a high visibility vest.

  • Competitors must also wear royal blue togs.

  • Competitors can wear the Ōrewa SLSC silicone swim cap during summer under the club skull cap (not in place of).

When Attending Pool Competitions

  • Competitors must wear the Ōrewa SLSC silicone swim cap.

Senior Competitive Lifesaving Contacts


Surf Boats & Canoe

Open to men & women across all age groups.
For more information contact Jon Copeland or Mark McCarthny

Board, Ski & Beach

Our head coach runs training sessions throughout the week for these disciplines.
Contact James Scott for information on times and which session would suit you.

IRB Racing

Qualifications are required for IRB racing, along with age restrictions.
For information about IRB racing please contact Conan Williis

Pool Champs

This is Surf Lifesaving in a pool for Seniors and Masters for the current season. 
For more information contact James Scott

Masters Water Training

If you’re past the serious competing phase but would still love to get out on the water with others using your own equipment, this can be arranged!
For more information contact Jon Copeland

Junior Competitive Lifesaving

As well as the Sunday sessions which run between Labour Day and Easter each year, there are also opportunities throughout the season to apply and extend your skills and knowledge through age based surf and pool carnivals and Junior Surf camp.