Juniors take to the beach to compete

Kneeboards litter the beach at Warrington as juniors prepare for competition in the water during the two-day Surf Life Saving New Zealand 2025 Southern Region Juniors. Photos: Trevor Douglas

More than 200 future lifesavers tested their mettle under "awesome" conditions at Warrington Beach at the weekend.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand southern region sport manager Luke Smith said 240 participants and 60 volunteers took part in competitive junior surf racing over the weekend.

Junior surf lifesavers from Blenheim to Southland show off their speed during sprints at Warrington Beach.

Surf Lifesavers from Blenheim to the deep south took part in land-based and water-based competitions.

The juniors, aged 7 to 14 years old, took part in beach flags, beach sprints, beach relays and a 2km beach relay.

Junior surf lifesavers compete in beach flags on Saturday.

And in the water, there were swim races, board races and "a bunch of relay events".

Yesterday morning, under-13s and under-14s took part in tube and board rescue, in simulated rescue events.

About 60 volunteers put together the two-day Surf Life Saving New Zealand 2025 Southern Region Juniors competition at Warrington Beach at the weekend.

"We had an awesome weekend conditions-wise," Mr Smith said.

The event would have been impossible without the support of its volunteers, he said.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz