Members of New Zealand surf lifesaving clubs ready to compete in the nationals have already started racing each other - for accommodation in Mount Maunganui.
Organisers of the national surf lifesaving championships have announced the event due to be held in two week's will be held in Mount Maunganui rather thanquake-hit Christchurch.
Baywatch Motor Inn owner Jan Williams said she only had two rooms left yesterday after a flurry of enquiries.
"It all happened [today]. It just went beserk," she said.
"We have got one club coming and taking up quite a few rooms and now we have just two studios left."
Ms Williams said a duty roster involving most Mount Maunganui accommodation providers showed there were no more than seven rooms available among them.
"I suppose everyone tries to get as close to the Mount as they can.
"There are more rooms available in Tauranga."
The nationals is the biggest surf carnival in the country, with nearly 1200 lifeguards taking part.
At Belle Mer Apartments, owner Diana Bagley said she was busy with calls from people who would be arriving.
"I have had about 15 calls this morning and the first two took my last apartments," Ms Bagley said.
"One was wanting to book 35 people, so we are full."
Kevin Wooten, who runs Aquarius Motor Inn said he also experienced enquiries from clubs.
"We have had a couple of teams and we are more or less booked up," he said.
Motel Association of New Zealand Tauranga president Lloyd Stone said that while Mount Maunganui accommodation providers were heavily booked during the event, there were "well over 100" units available in Tauranga.
Mount Maunganui has already hosted the 10-day Festival of Surf Sports this summer. This will be the first time the national surf lifesaving event returns to Mount Maunganui since 2005.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand considered cancelling the nationals as a sign of respect to the victims of Christchurch devastating earthquake.
However, Christchurch-based members and club officials convinced them to find another venue.
