Orewa set to host Oceans 18

The New Zealand Under 14 Surf Life Saving Championships is set to change venue in 2018; to Orewa Beach in Auckland.

For the past 16 years, the Oceans carnivals have been held at Main Beach, Mount Maunganui.

At the end of 2014, following recommendations from the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Blue Sky Review, the three-year event bidding process was retained and bids sought for the 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons, of which Oceans was included.

Factors considered included the ability to meet event specifications, ability to host the event on the specified dates, club capability, additional support the host may be able to offer or need, event funding and event appeal to participating athletes.

The National Sport Committee completed a site inspection to walk through the venue and discuss the event with the club and Orewa has subsequently been endorsed as the venue for Oceans '18 by the National Sport Committee and Surf Life Saving New Zealand Board.

Oceans '18 Committee Chairman and Orewa Surf Life Saving Club member Dave Shanks says the club is really excited to have the opportunity to host Oceans '18 and, it feels well placed to, off the back of hosting eight or nine regional junior championship events.

Mr Shanks says the club has a lot of support from the local community including the local MP, local board, business association and the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

"It will be one of the biggest events in our area for a long time and will have positive spin-offs for the local community," he says.

The area is well aware of the club's presence on Orewa Beach throughout summer but Mr Shanks says the event will help showcase surf lifesaving and the local clubs too.

"It's exciting, as a club and a region, to have a change and a new perspective on the event. We want this to be an event that people look back on and say 'that was a successful event'."

More information about the event will become available closer to the time.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Smith, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.smith@surflifesaving.org.nz