About Surf Sports

Surf Sports is one of the cornerstones of the surf lifesaving movement, allowing competitors to pursue a healthy lifestyle and gain recognition for their sporting efforts at the same time.

Our sport forms a significant component of who we are as an organisation. From Juniors to Seniors to Masters, our members have the opportunity to participate in local, regional, national and international surf sports competitions. Unlike other sports, the purpose of our competitions is to improve lifesaving skills to keep our beaches safe.
Participation can be social or competitive, depending on each person’s desire.
For further information contact Club Coach Bjorn Battaerd at 021 0245 1592.
Training sessions across a range of disciplines are held by the club each week throughout the year, the details for which can be provided by the Club Coach.

There are many disciplines to cater for everyone’s interest:

·         Beach events - sprints, relays, flags and 1km or 2km beach runs.
·         Board
·         Ski
·         Multi-discipline events - Ironman/Ironwoman/Diamond, Taplin relay, surf board rescue
·         Surf canoes
·         Surf boats
·         IRB competition
·         Pool rescue
·         Open water swimming

Surf Sports at Red Beach

Red Beach Surf Club has a proud and rewarding history in Surf Sports and has, over the years, become one of the dominant competitive clubs in New Zealand.
Red Beach prides itself on strong competition at all levels of Surf Sports, from top athletes competing either individually or in teams or crews.
The club has arguably one of the proudest histories in competition of any surf club in New Zealand. Our members, past and present, have won countless Regional & National Titles and are well recognised for their contributions to Surf Sports throughout the Surf Lifesaving movement.

All Senior & Masters athletes must have the minimum qualification of either the Surf Bronze Medallion or the Surf Lifeguard Award in order to compete.

Red Beach Surf Club also has a strong Junior development programme to assist our next generation of athletes develop to their full potential.

The club has won the Allan Gardner Memorial Trophy, symbol of National supremacy for overall points at the NZ Championships, on four occasions. The wins came in 1991 (Gisborne), 1992 (New Plymouth), 1993 (Mt Maunganui) and 2006 (New Plymouth).

Masters Competition 

The Masters division at Red Beach SLSC is available to anyone who is over 30, has their Surf Bronze or Surf Lifeguard Award and has a reasonable level of fitness. We welcome all newcomers who meet these criteria.

Many former surf lifesaving competitors return to competition when their own children become involved. There is a range of water and beach events available to Masters competitors.
On the beach, events include flags, sprints, 1 and 2 km runs and beach relays. In the water there are surf, board, ski and Ironman/Ironwoman races plus various relay events in all water disciplines. Masters surf boat and surf canoe races are also popular, particularly with Red Beach members.

The atmosphere at carnivals where Masters events are held is always relaxed and enjoyable; they are great starting points for new Masters. For the very competitive Masters there are the Northern Region Championships in February and the NZ Championships in March.

Masters compete in 5 year age groups starting with the 30-34 age group, going up to 70+.

Masters also have the opportunity to compete in pool rescue events before the surf lifesaving season gets under way.