Papamoa's Ben Johnston punches through a wave in the open ironman semifinals. Photo / Dscribe Media Services
Organisers of the New Zealand surf lifesaving championships in Gisborne blasted through the penultimate day's programme yesterday in a bid to keep ahead of the storm expected to slam into the area in coming days.
Tropical Cyclone Pam has devastated Vanuatu and surrounding Pacific islands and the remnants of the
weather system are heading towards New Zealand's east coast.
More than 1,500 athletes are competing at the four-day surf lifesaving championships.
"We've kept a close eye on developments, while liaising closely with our local Civil Defence and emergency services, and have adjusted our final day's programme as a result," event manager Prue Younger said. "We're aiming to finish just after midday [today] to allow athletes and supporters the chance to get home safely and we also have the option of tweaking things further."
Yesterday's action was held amid blue skies and benign waves at Midway Beach, with larger cyclone-fed swells not expected to hit until Monday. However, heavy rain is forecast to hit late Sunday night or Monday morning, with a rising south-east wind, putting roads in and out of Gisborne in jeopardy.
