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Sport plays a significant role in Surf Life Saving, from club carnivals, national championships

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is a charitable organisation and the governing body for our 74 Surf Life Saving Clubs and over 18,000 members that provide Patrols, Emergency Search & Rescue, Beach Education and Junior Surf Programmes for NZ communities. Sport has a long and proud history within the Surf Life Saving movement and plays a significant role in ensuring that our members have the skills and ability to meet the challenging environments to deliver our essential Lifesaving services. From club carnivals to our national championships, Lifesaving Sport events brings the membership together and provide opportunities for Nippers through to Masters to develop and compete across a range of disciplines. New Zealand is a powerhouse of High Performance Lifesaving Sport, competing and winning internationally across pool, beach, IRB and surf boat events. Our High Performance teams include the Black Fins, Junior Black Fins (pool & beach), Black Props (IRBs) and Oar Blacks (surf boats). The Pinnacle event is the Lifesaving World Championships held every two years. We are the current IRB & youth World Champions and have previously won the Open title in 2012, 2014 & 2016. The purpose of Lifesaving Sport is to grow & support Surf Life Saving in NZ by connecting communities through our Sport.

28/10/2026

Are We Prepared? 🤔 Join us online to discuss planning and providing a safe environment at our clubs! ❤💛

We'll cover resources, planning, and response to incidents.

Two sessions available to join: Nov 2, 7pm & Nov 5, 7pm. Click the link in our bio to join! https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/calendar

23/10/2026

Are We Prepared? 🤔 Join us online to discuss planning and providing a safe environment at our clubs! ❤️💛

We'll cover resources, planning, and response to incidents.

Two sessions available to join: Nov 2, 7pm & Nov 5, 7pm. Click the link in our bio to join! https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/calendar

22/10/2026

☝ Officials Online Training - November

We have five online training opportunities being delivered by our officials leaders.

This is a great opportunity to network with fellow officials, share your knowledge and learn ahead of the summer events season.

When is it happening?

Season Networking and Briefings
• Nov 12 – Officials Summer Session #1, 7:30pm
• Nov 17 – Officials Summer Session #2, 7:30pm
• Nov 24 – Officials Summer Session – Large Craft, 7:30pm
Liveheats Officials Sessions
• Nov 6, 7:30pm
• Nov 13, 7:30pm

Check out our SLSNZ Calendar for more details, Link in our BIO ❤https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/calendar

22/10/2026

Introducing your Bay of Plenty Open Team and U17 Team who will be competing at the Tangaroa Challenge for top area honours.

Tangaroa Challenge is a new fast-format representative competition that brings a new kind of rivalry to lifesaving sport.

Athletes who are used to competing against each other in club colours will join forces to represent their area, taking on other area teams from around Aotearoa.

Launching in the 2026/27 season, the event brings U17 and Open teams together for a fast-moving half-day of surf and beach racing, with points building across the competition towards the overall Tangaroa Challenge title.

The Tangaroa Challenge is being held on December 13 at Mt Maunganui Beach.

Congratulations to all athletes selected 🙌❤💛

Visit here for further information: https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/sport/national-competitions/tangaroa-challenge-2026

12/10/2026

Celebrate the volunteer COACH who makes a difference in your community and give back to them and their club with legendary prizes.

Anyone can nominate a coach who inspires them — whether they’re shaping young players, supporting inclusive teams or going the extra mile for their club. Selected Coaching Legends are celebrated for the difference they make and the values they bring to their communities.

Click the link to read more and nominate you Coach now 🤳❤💛
https://coachinglegends.au1.komo.site/

11/10/2026

Introducing your Otago Open Team who will be competing at the Tangaroa Challenge for top area honours.

Tangaroa Challenge is a new fast-format representative competition that brings a new kind of rivalry to lifesaving sport.

Athletes who are used to competing against each other in club colours will join forces to represent their area, taking on other area teams from around Aotearoa.

Launching in the 2026/27 season, the event brings U17 and Open teams together for a fast-moving half-day of surf and beach racing, with points building across the competition towards the overall Tangaroa Challenge title.

The Tangaroa Challenge is being held on December 13 at Mt Maunganui Beach.

Congratulations to all athletes selected 🙌❤💛

Visit here for further information: https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/sport/national-competitions/tangaroa-challenge-2026

08/10/2026

Introducing your Canterbury Open and Canterbury U17 Teams who will be competing at the Tangaroa Challenge for top area honours.

Tangaroa Challenge is a new fast-format representative competition that brings a new kind of rivalry to lifesaving sport.

Athletes who are used to competing against each other in club colours will join forces to represent their area, taking on other area teams from around Aotearoa.

Launching in the 2026/27 season, the event brings U17 and Open teams together for a fast-moving half-day of surf and beach racing, with points building across the competition towards the overall Tangaroa Challenge title.

The Tangaroa Challenge is being held on December 13 at Mt Maunganui Beach.

Congratulations to all athletes selected 🙌❤💛

Click below for further information: https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/sport/national-competitions/tangaroa-challenge-2026

06/10/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships.

Three days of racing, world records, NZ records and plenty of standout performances at the Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Centre.

The final day delivered another world record, with Black Fins athlete Zoe Crawford (Mairangi Bay SLSC) setting a new Open Female 100m Manikin Tow with Fins mark in 53.14 seconds. Zoe finished the championships with four gold, two silver and a bronze, while there were strong performances and new NZ records across the junior, Open and Masters grades.

Pāpāmoa SLSC took out the Top Masters Club title, while Mairangi Bay SLSC secured the Paul Kent Trophy as the top overall club.

But it’s not just about the results. It’s about athletes pushing themselves, clubs coming together and the next generation of lifesavers getting stuck in alongside experienced competitors.

A huge thanks to our Aon officials, volunteers, coaches, event crew and wider team for the time and mahi they put in across the weekend. These events don’t happen without the people behind them.

We’re also grateful to Aon New Zealand, our major partner of Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the Pool Rescue Championships, for the continued support and for being part of the event across the weekend.

We'll see you in 2027!

📸 Tim Marshall

Address

Pelorus Trust Sports House, 93 Hutt Park Road, Seaview
Lower Hutt
5010

Website

https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/sport

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