METRONEWS
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Swell weather ahead of Life Saving competition

Delphine Herbert
New Brighton Pier.jpg

Plenty of spectators are expected to watch more than 1200 compete in the Surf Life Saving competition.

The weather is looking swell for the Surf Life Saving competition set to kick off on Thursday.

The  four-day competition starts with the Masters (30+) event paving the way for other competitors.

The event takes place in New Brighton this year, with more than 1200 athletes competing from all over the country.

Forty-five clubs have entered, two fewer than last year.

Surf lifesaving official Mike Lord said holding the event in the South Island meant more southern clubs could participate. 

"A highlight of coming to Christchurch is that you have a pier that sticks out and everybody can go and watch the races when they are out in the water, which is an added advantage of coming down here," he said.

The event was supposed to be held in Christchurch in 2011 to celebrate 100 years of surf life saving, but was relocated because of the earthquakes.

This is the 10th time Christchurch has held the event since it started in 1915.