Mount Maunganui hold lead at Oceans 17

TIGHT BATTLE: Grace McGirr from Waihi (left) and Isabella Wilson from Papamoa race to the finish of the U14 Board relay at Oceans 17 today. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

Bay of Plenty clubs have continued their dominance of the leaderboard at the third day of the annual Oceans 17 national surf lifesaving carnival at Mount Main Beach.

Host team Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service has maintained their lead from yesterday while their neighbours from Omanu Surf Life Saving Club have moved up to second equal with Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc third heading into the final day of action on Sunday.

The only non-Bay of Plenty team in the top five, Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club from near Gisborne, finished the day in fourth ahead of Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club in fifth.

Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club are sixth and is the top placed team from outside the Eastern Region, which covers beaches from Waihi Beach to Gisborne.

East End Surf Life Saving Club, Maranui Surf Life Saving Club and Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club are all seventh-equal on 14 points leading into the final day of the junior surf life saving competition, showing how close the competition is.

With almost 900 athletes under 14 years old taking part, event manager Scott Bicknell said he continues to be impressed by the athletes' skill and attitude at the event.

"All of the athletes are doing an amazing job out there. They are all giving it 100 percent and it's great for us as organisers to see how much they are enjoying the competition and supporting each other.

"It's also still very close for the top spots so I'm sure they (athletes) will be fighting hard tomorrow. Most of the finals are on tomorrow which could be a game-changer for many of our teams, so it's sure to be interesting to see how they go."

Tomorrow's events include the Grand Cameron race with teams of one swimmer, one board paddler and two runners, and is one of the biggest races on the event schedule.

The surf race, board race and diamond race finals are also all due to be held tomorrow with dozens of points up for grabs.

The final day of the 2017 Oceans event gets underway from 8am at Mt Maunganui. Spectators are welcome and spectator entry to the event is free with plenty of food, beverage and sport retailers on site.

Oceans 17
Top 5 points after Day 3:
Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service 35, Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc 26, Omanu Surf Life Saving Club 26, Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club 20, Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club 17
.