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Home / Gisborne Herald / Sport

Surf Lifesaving: Gearing up for national inflatable rescue boat champs in Gisborne this weekend

Murray Robertson
General reporter, specialises in emergency services and rural·Gisborne Herald·
22 Mar, 2026 10:15 PMQuick Read
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The New Zealand Surf Lifesaving inflatable rescue boat championships at Waikanae Beach promise three days of exciting action. The event runs from Friday to Sunday. Photo / NZME

The New Zealand Surf Lifesaving inflatable rescue boat championships at Waikanae Beach promise three days of exciting action. The event runs from Friday to Sunday. Photo / NZME

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Nearly 120 crews will be in action at Waikanae Beach from Friday to Sunday this week in the Surf Life Saving New Zealand inflatable rescue boat championships.

It is the largest inflatable rescue boat (IRB) racing event on the Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) calendar, featuring 342 competitors from 30 clubs across the country.

“These championships showcase the speed, skill and teamwork that underpin IRB racing and real-world rescues,” SLSNZ said.

“The competition features multiple race disciplines, each requiring a unique mix of technical skill, speed and precision.”

“With surf and weather conditions constantly changing, IRB racing delivers fast, unpredictable and highly competitive action on the water.

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“It will be three days of thrilling racing.”

There will be 118 men's and women's crews in action across a range of age divisions, and Gisborne's three clubs will be represented to varying degrees. Photo / NZME
There will be 118 men's and women's crews in action across a range of age divisions, and Gisborne's three clubs will be represented to varying degrees. Photo / NZME

The championships start at midday on Friday and run till 4pm, then resume from 8.30am till 4.30pm on Saturday and from 9.30am-2pm on Sunday.

The public are welcome to head to the beach to watch the action.

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All three Gisborne city clubs – Waikanae, Midway and Wainui – will have crews in action across the championships.

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