"In those days, they had a different complexion, with the march past, the four-man and six-man - as a kid, it all seemed quite grand."
Old salts would certainly struggle to recognise the beach set-up next week, which will feature drones getting aerial footage so spectators can follow the on-water action, an innovative central hub with a mini surf lifesaving expo and fast-paced action.
While events such as the belt race, chariot race and march-past have been consigned to the archives, the fundamental purpose of surf sports remains the same; athletes run, paddle and swim as hard as possible, knowing the fitness and skills they're harnessing could be put to use in a real-life rescue.
That's the aspect that's kept McCarthny involved too.
He qualified as a lifeguard in 1972 and is still an active voluntary patroller for both the Piha and Orewa clubs, having been involved in dozens of rescues over the years.
He's no slouch as an athlete either - representing New Zealand in 1985 with the Piha men's boat crew, before coming back into the sport as a sweep in the new millennium.
There's also been plenty of family involvement.
His dad, Bert, now 89, was made a life member of Surf Life Saving New Zealand in 1997, while McCarthny's son Chris and nephew John are in the Orewa open men's boat crew which he sweeps. Daughter Katherine is also involved, usually paddling a canoe.
"Now I'm a bit older and I don't have to run around after my own kids, I've got the time to get back involved fully with patrolling and helping out, which is quite cool.
"It feels like I'm giving something back and hopefully I'm useful. 'In it for life' is the motto of surf lifesaving and it still rings quite true - it's a cool movement to be involved in."
As a competitor, McCarthny reckons the ERCs always seem to conjure up a decent swell, especially in Mt Maunganui where the event returns this year after two years in Whangamata.
"Some of the carnivals really stand out. About six or seven years ago, I was sweeping a women's crew and it was really big. Only four boats turned up to race in the end and our girls won it by pretty much being the only crew to get out. I also remember rowing there when I was younger and we somehow managed to make it out but we had to keep going because the waves were breaking at the buoy line.
"We were sitting way out the back, wondering how the hell we were going to get back in."
Those are the sort of memories event organiser Scott Bicknell hopes to create.
The Eastern Region sports manager, who is also a New Zealand representative kayaker, wants the event to evolve and remain relevant to future generations.
"Mt Maunganui is kind of the spiritual home for the ERCs and we're delighted to have it back there," he said. "It's a great opportunity to showcase the role our lifeguards play on our beaches over summer and to help the public understand why surf sports competition plays such a vital role in saving lives."
McCarthny, meanwhile, is confident he's got a few more dates with the championships in the future.
"I'm really happy to keep going, while I'm still able. You're a long time retired. I'm lucky that sweeping has given me a second lease on life in the sport and sweeping's brilliant because you still get to compete at the elite level and you don't have to be as fit as the rowers."
Porteous Trophy top event
The Ian Porteous Memorial Ironman Trophy race is the feature event of tomorrow's Omanu Day of Champions Surf Lifesaving Carnival in Mt Maunganui.
It has been 19 years since Omanu clubbie Ian Porteous died, aged just 44, the day before the club's annual long-distance ironman race.
It prompted his good mate Denny Enright to establish a memorial race for the Mt Maunganui College teacher, conservationist, family man and marathon runner. Previous winners include a collection of some of the best ironmen New Zealand has produced, including Aaron Jarman, Cory Hutchings, Mark Muir, Matt Sutton, Cory Taylor and Max Beattie.
The Parmco-sponsored carnival starts at 8.30am and also features racing in swimming, board paddling and surf skis.
