Champions' withdrawal opens up contest

One of Northland's longest-running - and most unusual - sporting contests is wide open after the long-time champions were forced to pull out of the Russell-Paihia Snorkel Scuba Race this Saturday.

The annual event, to be contested for the 31st time by dive clubs from as far away as the Bay of Plenty, sees teams of six compete in a 3.5km relay across the Veronica Channel using a decoy duck as a baton.

The first five competitors take turns to snorkel; the sixth swims the last 200m in scuba gear, then sheds tank and flippers, sprints up the beach at Paihia and downs a beer.

Last year 13 teams took part with Port Valley Opua winning for the seventh consecutive year in a near-record time of 39 minutes.

It is understood the team had been training hard in the hope of making it eight in a row but had to pull out due to injury.

The eight remaining teams are Broadway Health, Bay of Islands Underwater Club, Dive Zone, Migaloo, three Wettie teams from Auckland and Mount Maunganui Dive Club.

The day's events start at dawn with a spearfishing contest. Competitors must be back in Russell by noon to hand over their catch. The relay race starts in Russell at 1.30pm, with a kids' icebreaker swim setting off at Paihia's main beach at the same time. The first team is expected in Paihia around 2.15pm.

A fish auction will be held at Paihia's Village Green from 3pm with prizegiving at the new fire station from 6pm. Everything from boat cruises to a dive course, meal vouchers and accommodation donated by Northland businesses will be up for grabs at an evening auction, and every team captain goes home with a new wetsuit.

The event is organised by Bay of Islands Underwater Club with proceeds split between Russell Radio, Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade and Coastguard Bay of Islands.