Surf Sports are an integral part of life saving at Whangamata SLSC.

We encourage all lifeguards to participate in rescue style events to ensure that we are fit and experienced enough to patrol any beach in the country.

Training for and participation in Surf Sports enables Lifeguards to improve their lifesaving skills, fitness, and motivation. Junior Surf athletes through to Masters compete in a variety of aquatic and beach events testing their fitness and surf skills against one another and against nature.

Surf Sport disciplines include Swim, Board, Ski, Run, Ironman, Canoe, Surf Boat and Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB). Surf Sport events are held over the summer providing Local, National and International competition for Surf Sport Lifeguards.  There is also a pool competition held throughout the winter

Whangamata SLSC has a proud history in surf sports, most notably the three time world champion surf boat crew of the 1990's.The current group cannot match that calibre of performance but there is evidence of potential amongst 2010 group!

Nationals at Ohope March 2010:

Congratulations to Jordan Te Wharau, Michael Pepper, Javiel Duncan, Rob McCaig, and the sweep, Steve Pipe. They won a bronze medal in the U19 Short Course Surf Boat Rowing and a silver medal for the Long Course.

The Senior men and U21 Women accredited themselves well to make the finals. Several other crews in surfboats and canoes, and swimmers and runners, whilst not 'in the money', did not disgrace themselves.  On reflection they  lamented the absence of high waves that may have given them a lucky edge yet recognised the need to commence training earlier and engage in more endurance work.  All helped to put Whangamata positively 'on the map'.

Latest gold medal winners:

Congratulations to all participants and in particular: Maddie Kidd, Grace Gill, Taine Sweeney and Jack Snodgrass. They creamed the opposition at the recent Under 14 National surf life saving champs at the Mount in late February. Their area of particular interest and expertise is the mixed beach relay.

Whangamata, ably coached by Daniel Grant, were ninth equal in a field of 23 teams; a very pleasing performance