Ōhope Beach was lined with surf skis, paddles, and gazebos last weekend as approximately 380 surf lifesavers pitted their skills against each other and the natural elements at the Bay of Plenty Surf Life Saving Championships.

With the National Surf Life Saving Championships returning to Ōhope from March 5-8, many participants and clubs took the opportunity to experience the beach, surf, and facilities ahead of the main event.

The Bay of Plenty championships featured junior and senior grades, with Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, Midway, Ōmanu, Pāpāmoa, and Mount Maunganui among the clubs represented.

Conditions were ideal, with light surf and fine weather.

Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club member and trainer Simon Wills has been working with the Oceans, juniors and seniors for the past two years and is pleased with their progress.

“We managed to have an under-15 member, Dominic Rowland, take the top spot in his age group. He also claimed second place in both the male ski and male swim races.

“The junior grades are looking strong and, if they stick around, that will carry through to the senior grades and potentially double our senior numbers.

“It’s a time game, but at the moment I’m really happy,” said Wills.

Other Whakatāne standouts include Rose Morton, who won the female under-15 beach flags.

The open beach relay also saw a first-place finish for Jai Julian, Ollie Peat, Michael Esterhuizen, and Campbell Julian.

Hannah Baxter secured a second-place finish in the under-19 female ski race, while Sunday’s junior events produced standout performances from Liam Lawrence, Kayley Ireland, and Riley Miskell.

Omanu won on total points with Mount Maunganui, second, and Papamoa, third.

Whakatāne finished fifth, putting it in a good position for the national championships.

“We’ve scored higher than in previous years, so we’re on the right track,” said Wills.