Oceans 17 bursts into life at Mount Maunganui

ACTION-PACKED: Oceans 17 began yesterday in ideal conditions at Mount Main Beach. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

The local Mount Maunganui team has taken the early lead at the four-day under-14 Oceans 17 surf lifesaving carnival that began yesterday at Mount Main Beach in near-perfect weather and surf conditions.

With 54 athletes, Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service finished the day with 15 points, while dominating the boys' run-swim-run events with a win in the under-12, under-13 and under-14 boys' year groups, plus taking the top spot in the under-11 girls' beach flags event.

While they have taken the early lead, Maranui, Red Beach and Papamoa clubs are all chasing them and are not far behind with nine and eight points respectively.

Oceans 17 event manager Scott Bickenell said the first day was a huge success and it was great to see everyone enjoying the iconic event.

"Everything from the athletes to the conditions, spectators and officials has been awesome today. It was great for us to see everyone enjoying themselves and supporting each other," he said.

"It's also good to see a good battle emerging with the top teams. At this stage, it seems as though every point will count so we're excited to see them go head-to-head again tomorrow because it will definitely be close."

Today the event's 898 competitors race in the board rescue which sees one member of the team swim approximately 120m to a designated buoy, before signalling and waiting to be picked up by a team-mate on a board. They both paddle to shore and cross the finish line on the beach with the board. The diamond race and beach sprint events also feature on the timetable tomorrow before the event continues on Saturday and Sunday.

The action continues from 8am today.