Set to break records

Orewa and Red Beach surf lifesavers will be competing in the fifteenth annual New Zealand Pool Championships this weekend.

A total of 72 Orewa and 53 Red Beach lifesavers will be competing against 31 clubs in New Zealand’s biggest competition with the chance of being recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation.

Last year Orewa’s Sandra Burrow set two world records in the 65-69 Masters Women’s; one in the 100m Obstacle Swim with a time of 1.33.17 (old record- 1:39.50) and another in the 100m Manikin Tow with a time of 1.36.25 (old record1.37.88).

Orewa also won the Open Age Groups and the Top Masters Club trophy last year.

With a total of 687 athletes this year there will be around 400 races contested across age groups from 10 years through to masters (over 30).

Events include rescue medleys, line throws, swimming with fins while carrying a rescue tube and ‘rescuing’ a manikin off the bottom of the pool.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Sport Manager Mike Lord said this is the first national event for the 2017/18 season and has increased by 70 athletes from last year.

During the weekend points will be allocated for each individual and team race and then all points will be added together for top club points.

Racing begins at 9am on October 13 at the Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Centre (AUT Millennium) in Albany with the Junior (Under 11-14) events.

It will later continue with a full day of racing on October 14 for the under 16, under 19 and the open and masters.

The event is set to conclude around 3pm on October 15.