Pāpāmoa Beach on the morning of Oceans Day 1. Photo / Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media
“It was a real celebration of surf lifesaving. With team events, strong performances from clubs of all sizes, and the beach buzzing with colour and noise, you could feel the confidence and camaraderie building. This event is about shaping future surf lifeguards, not just athletes.”
National events manager Luke Smith said the depth of competition stood out.
“We saw a great spread of performances today, with smaller clubs coming to the fore alongside some of our larger ones. Oceans is about bringing young people together from across the country, building skills, friendships and a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond the event.”
Day one medallists included competitors from Maranui, South Brighton, East End, Sumner, Muriwai, Omanu and Mairangi Bay, with strong showings across surf races, beach sprints and tube rescue events.
With racing continuing through to Sunday, Oceans 26 continues to showcase junior lifesaving as a sport with purpose, laying the foundations for the next generation of surf lifeguards while delivering a positive, high-energy event for the wider Pāpāmoa and Tauranga-Moana community.
Competitors from Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club on Oceans Day 1. Photo / Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media