Fifty surf rescue crews are roaring into Waipu Cove this weekend for the North Island IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) championships.
Saturday's high-octane action will see more than 50 crews from all across the North Island compete in 80 races on Saturday.
Ruakaka Surf-Lifesaving Club has two crews competing in the under-21 category.
Chad
Cahalane and Ryan Hulse make up the first crew, while Kyle Taylor and Maaike McKernan are the second. The four will combine for the teams event.
The events include a single rescue, where crews race from the beach to pick up a single passenger, mass rescue where crews pick up two people, assembly rescue when crews have to assemble the motor and boat before they head out, and a team event where two crews use one boat for two rescues.
While it lets surf lifesavers practice the skills of their trade, most rescues during patrol hours aren't as easy as in competition, Ruakaka's Derek Hulse said. "The patient in the water is ready and waiting for you, with their hands tied and clasped above their head. So the crewman just hooks their arm through."
The Ruakaka pair of Cahalane and Ryan Hulse look set to take their first medals in the competition, after winning the Northern region single rescue earlier this year.
The weather looks promising with a 0.8m swell forecast - but a healthy medium between flat and choppy makes a good IRB competition, Mr Hulse said. "For speed you need flat water, but swell to make it fun."
