Surf lifesaving: Hectic schedule for lifesavers

Mount Maunganui's Max Beattie will be a contender at the Mount Monster 25km endurance race. Photo / Jamie Troughton

The cream of New Zealand surf lifesaving talent is descending on Tauranga over the next nine days for two of the biggest carnivals on the local calendar.

The inaugural Mount Monster 25km endurance race will kick off tomorrow, followed eight days later by the annual Omanu Classic, featuring the Ian Porteous long distance ironman event.

More than 130 athletes, including 53 individuals, will line up at 10am tomorrow on Mount Maunganui's Main Beach for the 25km endurance race.

And the surf stars are certainly aligning, with New Zealand ironman champion Max Beattie, Australian Jackson Maynard, Gisborne prodigy Cory Taylor and four-time Olympian Steven Ferguson joining some top local athletes.

Billed as the Kiwi version of the famous Coolangatta Gold, on Australia's Gold Coast the Mount Monster is a multi-discipline event expected to take more than two hours. It boasts $7000 in cash prizes and a number of sponsored prizes.

The legs include a 5km beach run, a spectacular swim leg which includes a jump off Moturiki Island's blowhole, a 12km ski leg and a 6km board paddle. The unique course has proved a popular attraction, with more than 50 individuals and a large number of teams signing up.

"We've had a huge response to this event and not just [from] the surf lifesaving fraternity," MMLS chairman Paul Treanor said. "We've had feedback from a number of triathletes, stand-up paddle-boarders and multisport athletes who would love to be a part of it in future and that's something we'll certainly discuss leading into next year, while the support from local businesses has been brilliant. Getting more than 120 athletes competing in this inaugural race is massive though and for now, we're just focused on making sure they have an outstanding day."

Among the local contenders is the Mount's Andrew Newton, who snatched a dramatic win in the ironman at last week's Whangamata Classic. Also lining are his clubmates Sam Shergold and Hamish Treanor. The latter pair took part in October's Coolangatta Gold, with Treanor finishing 17th in the under-19 division over 33km and Shergold 25th in the 43km open race against some of the best ironmen on the planet.

The women's field includes New Zealand team members Danielle McKenzie, Jess Miller and Katie Wilson. The race is for all ages, with Omanu 60-year-old Ian Glover lining up, alongside 16-year-old clubmates Josh Jarvis and Ben Elisara.

The concept for the race has been developed by Mount club coach John Bryant, who has used it as a training tool for years. Bryant is excited about the race, especially the signature blowhole jump.

"The blowhole jump isn't just a test of nerves, it's a valuable training tool for our lifeguards," Bryant said. "We've had a number of rescues around the rocks at the end of Moturiki Island over the years and our lifeguards need to know how to safely negotiate entering and exiting the water. It's also a whole lot of fun - once you've conquered your fear - and it gives the Mount Monster race an extra special piece of local flavour."

Many of the athletes, including Beattie, Taylor and the Mount contingent, will back up at the New World Omanu Classic, with Beattie looking to defend his ironman title.