Some of New Zealand's smaller clubs get the chance to shine at this weekend's national IRB championships at Waipu Cove, in Northland.
Nearly 350 drivers, crew and patients from 28 clubs are heading north for the BP Surf Rescue event, the traditional end of the competition season.
Among them are rare competitive forays by the nearby Omaha and Ruakaka clubs, as well as Palmerston North, Hot Water Beach and Wanganui.
The five members from Otago's Kaka Point have the longest journey of the lot. Included in their ranks are Hayden Gold and Luke Kuiti, who won a rare bronze in the under-21 single rescue at last year's national championships.
The southern contingent also includes four from Brighton, 22 from St Clair and 28 from St Kilda, while Christchurch contributes 46 athletes from North Beach, Sumner, Taylors Mistake, Waikuku and Waimairi.
Perennial powerhouse East End again has the biggest squad (29), featuring premier stars Andrew Cronin and James Morwood.
The women's division is again expected to be dominated by the classy St Clair pairing of Carla and Steph Laughton, who won gold in the tube rescue at the world championships in Adelaide in November, along with patient Rachel Craythorn.
