Waikanae's top team of Connor Mitchell (driver), Oliver Shivnan (crewman) and patient Michaela Clearwater will once again lead the charge for the host club at the NZ IRB nationals, starting on Friday afternoon. Photo / Supplied
Waikanae's top team of Connor Mitchell (driver), Oliver Shivnan (crewman) and patient Michaela Clearwater will once again lead the charge for the host club at the NZ IRB nationals, starting on Friday afternoon. Photo / Supplied
The combination of fast boats and rescue skills will be on display when surf lifeguards from across the country and some from Australia gather at Waikanae Beach for the 2026 BP New Zealand IRB Championships.
The action starts on Friday afternoon and runs until Sunday afternoon.
It will bringtogether 342 competitors across 118 crews from 30 surf lifesaving clubs for three days of intense racing in one of the most exciting disciplines in surf lifesaving sport.
“Waikanae Beach is known for producing fast, technical and unpredictable racing,” Surf Life Saving NZ general manager sport Zac Franich said.
“The event continues to showcase strong participation across the sport, with 49 female and 69 male crews, and growing numbers in Under-23 divisions highlighting the next generation of IRB athletes coming through.
“IRB racing remains one of the most practical and exciting forms of lifesaving sport. It’s unique because it closely mirrors real rescue situations,” Franich said.
Surf Life Saving NZ predicts 'fast, technical and unpredictable racing' across the two and a half days of the NZ IRB champs. Photo / Supplied
“Drivers and crew need to read the surf, make quick decisions and work together seamlessly to execute a rescue.
“It is physically demanding, but these skills are exactly what lifeguards rely on when responding to emergencies on our beaches.”
Recent regional events had set the stage for a highly competitive championship, he said.
“Sumner, St Kilda and North Beach [clubs] impressed at the South Island event, while Sunset Beach, Waimarama and Opunake led the way in the North Island, setting up strong rivalries heading into Gisborne.
“While Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Club return as defending [overall points] champions, having claimed multiple national titles in recent years, including back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025, this year’s championships could signal a changing of the guard with new crew combinations emerging across several leading clubs.”
Getcha motors running ... this will be the scene at Waikanae Beach when the best IRB exponents in the business battle for titles in the BP New Zealand IRB Championships. Photo / Supplied
Franich said host club Waikanae would also be one to watch following strong performances at the North Island championships, including multiple gold medals in the open men’s division.
“Clubs like Fitzroy are also on the rise, growing from just one crew in 2024 to eight this year, driven by the return of experienced athletes and coaches like SLSNZ Hall of Fame members Jaron Mumby and Chris Scott, which adds depth to the competition.”
Crews will compete across five disciplines designed around rescue scenarios - single rescue, mass rescue, assembly rescue, tube rescue and team rescue, each requiring a different combination of teamwork, surf awareness and technical boat handling.
International competition will also feature, with Australian clubs Kirra and Kurrawa sending crews, adding a transtasman edge to the racing.
BP New Zealand head of country Haley Mahoney said IRBs remained a critical tool in surf rescue operations.
“These boats are one of the most important pieces of equipment surf lifeguards use. They allow crews to reach people quickly in difficult surf conditions and in areas that can be hard to access from the shore.
“We are proud to support Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the crews who train hard to operate these boats safely and effectively. The IRB championships are a great way to recognise the skill and commitment behind that work.”
