While our main function is providing patrolling lifeguards, we recognise that competition is an ideal way to encourage retention of members, building bonds with friends and allows senior members to maintain a level of skill and fitness essential when guarding lives...faster, fitter lifeguards save more lives!

We are proud to have a highly succesful and thriving competition scene in the Senior, IRB and masters areas of the club.

Senior Competition

Waikanae boasts a rich history of success in senior sport starting back in 1952 with Jack Griffin's first title won in the ski race, on a home-built ski no less! We have been proud to watch many of our athletes earn selection to the New Zealand Black Fins National teams for both World Champs and ILS Challenges. We aim to cater for all disciplines within the sport from flags to ski and everything in between. We are proud to have watched our athletes achieve Nationals titles across recent years, in all areas of the sport. Athletes have access to numerous daily sessions right through the summer season and can maintain strength and fitness during the winter months in ski, run and pool swim sessions. 

Sport is a hugely important aspect of club life and, whilst we acknowledge the main focus of lifeguarding, we also recognise that this training provides the perfect environment in which to nurture, develop and hone the lifeguards of the future and is the ideal way to keep lifeguards strong, skilled and fit enough to patrol effectively.

IRB Racing

Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) are an integral part of the patrol equipment used on patrol and predictably, over the decades, training has turned into racing these amazing craft. Our IRB team, under the coaching of Connor Mitchell, has had many successes at National level over the years and now boasts NZ's Top under 23 male team who were also recently selected to race under the NZ flag! The small but incredibly committed team train regularly to keep up their speed and skill which not only makes them super fast on race day but provides us with an awesome team of skilled drivers and crew for patrols and for water safety at community events.

IRB Crewman qualification - fully refreshed lifeguard and financial member of the club.

IRB driver qualification - fully refreshed lifeguard and financial member aged 16+

For more information on the racing scene at Waikanae SLSC, please contact Clara at waikanaesurflsc@gmail.com

Check out the SLSNZ event calendar here to see what's happening this coming season.