Who will be Gisborne’s Champion of the Bays?

Waikanae's Quaid Thompson leads the field in a ski race at last year's Champion of the Bays surf lifesaving carnival. The 2025 edition is under way, with the Ralph Morse Shield the prize for the top overall club. Photo / Paul Rickard

The Eastland Port Champion of the Bays surf lifesaving carnival continues on Saturday morning with the Ralph Morse Shield for overall supremacy on the line.

Dawson Building Midway look set to dominate again after a strong showing at the Eastern Regional Championships in Mount Maunganui.

They won the shield last year with 443 points across the senior (over-14) championship, with Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae second on 62, followed by Riversun Wainui on 25.

The carnival will also feature events associated with the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series, run as part of the local championship programme.

That series includes iron races, board, ski and swim events, plus some relays.

Round one of the iron races associated with that series was being held this afternoon, along with the local beach events.

Bay of Plenty’s Omanu, Papamoa, Whangamatā and Waihī clubs have sent athletes to compete, and there are some from Paekākāriki.

Surf Life Saving NZ Eastern region sport manager Sonia Keepa said the carnival was a good opportunity for competitors to test themselves in the Midway surf ahead of the Aon New Zealand championships to be held there from March 6-9.

Saturday racing at Midway starts at 8am, with a full race programme over the day.