Mt Maunganui have pulled out to an early lead during the first day of competition at the second largest surf lifesaving sports event in the country that began at Mount Main Beach today.
The Eastern Region Championships has attracted more than 800 athletes from around New Zealand, predominantly from the east coast of the North Island and features two full days of competition.
While Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service have built up a 32 point buffer, Piha Surf Life Saving Club in second are not far behind and promise to threaten the locals tomorrow with a team of 72 athletes.
Chasing them in third is Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club from Gisborne, while one of the largest teams with 79 athletes, Orewa Surf Life Saving Club, is only a few points behind in fourth.
A few athletic superstars feature in this year's event including Olympians Lisa Carrington, who is competing for the Mt Maunganui and Marty McDowell for Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club, junior world life saving champions from the Black Fins and Omanu Day of Champions ironman champion Max Beattie.