More than 800 Junior Surf members from around Aotearoa New Zealand will make their way to Mt Maunganui’s Main Beach on
Thursday for one of the country’s largest children’s sporting events.
Oceans ’21 turns…well…21 this year and a sense of relief and celebration is in the air. Last week’s COVID-19 alert level changes raised
uncertainty as to whether Oceans ‘21 could go ahead – and whether Auckland competitors would be able to attend if the
city remained at Alert Level 2. Hundreds of participants held their breath leading up to Monday afternoon’s
announcement.
Steve Brennan, Volunteer Coach at Orewa Surf Life Saving Club and father to 14-year-old Oceans ’21 competitor Elizabeth
Brennan, says the family was elated to hear confirmation that they could participate in what’s become an annual
highlight.
“This is Elizabeth’s final year of competing at Oceans and she’s worked so hard to get here, even training during
lockdowns,” he says.
“There was a massive sense of relief when we heard that Auckland was going back down to Level 1 – we were really
crossing our fingers – and now we can’t wait to head down and support her. It’s going to be an incredible event.”
Oceans ’21 is an iconic Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) tradition which encapsulates the joy, excitement and skill
involved in Surf Lifesaving, as well as providing a chance for kids aged 10 – 14 to test their mettle in a safe surf
environment.
Over four action-packed days, Junior Surf competitors will take part in events designed to emulate real-life beach
rescue situations.
“We’re expecting a decent swell throughout the competition and our Juniors will be provided with an awesome opportunity
to test their surf lifesaving skills,” says Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Sport Events Manager, Mark Inglis.
“These young people are the future of Surf Lifesaving and we can’t wait to see what they’re capable of!”
For further information about Oceans ’21, visit the event page on the SLSNZ Website.Oceans ’21 Event Information
When: Thursday, Feb 25 – Sunday, Feb 28
Where: Mount Maunganui - Main Beach
Who:849 competitors aged 10 - 1447 of 74 SLSNZ Clubs from as far south as Dunedin and as far north as Ruakaka.
Age groups:U11U12U13U14
Individual events:SprintFlagsRun Swim RunSurf RaceDiamond Race (swim, board and run)Board Race
Team events:Beach Relay2km Beach RelayBoard RelayGrand Cameron Relay (6 person run, swim, board paddle event)Tube Rescue and Board Rescue
Competing clubs:Bethells Beach SLSPBrighton SLSCEast End SLSCFitzroy SLSCFoxton SLSCLyall Bay SLSCMairangi Bay SLSCMangawhai Heads SLSCMaranui SLSCMidway SLSCMt Maunganui Lifeguard ServiceMuriwai VLSNew Brighton SLSCNew Plymouth Old Boys SLSCNorth Beach SLSCOcean Beach Kiwi SLSCOmaha Beach SLSCOmanu SLSCOpunake SLSCOrewa SLSCOtaki SLSCPaekakariki Surf LifeguardsPapamoa SLSCPauanui SLSCPiha SLSCPukehina Surf RescueRed Beach SLSCRuakaka SLSPSouth Brighton SLSCSpencer Park SLSCSt Clair SLSCSt Kilda SLSCSumner SLSCTaylors Mistake SLSCTitahi Bay SLSCWaihi Beach LSWaikanae SLSCWaikuku Beach SLSCWaimairi SLSCWaimarama SLSCWainui SLSCWestshore SLSCWhakatane SLSCWhangamata SLSCWhiritoa LSWorser Bay LSC