Surf Life Saving Otago has a programme of training and competitive events through which its members hone their skills so they can keep the region's beaches safe for swimmers and surfers.
The competition season starts on Saturday with flat-water races on the Taieri River at Taieri Mouth.
Races will take place over distances of 2km, 5km and 10km for competitors on boards, skis and in canoes.
"This event is designed to help surf life-savers dust off the cobwebs and be ready for the new season," district manager of Surf Life Saving Otago Phil Hudson told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
Events will be held at St Clair, Brighton and Warrington beaches in Dunedin.
The Otago senior championships will be held at Warrington on February 28 and the junior championships at the same venue on March 7.
The biggest event on the local scene will be the Southern Ocean event, for juniors from Canterbury, Otago and Southland, at Warrington on February 14 and 15.
Significant events on the national scene are the surf league in Mt Maunganui (February 7-8), the New Zealand championships in Gisborne (March 12-15) and the Inflatable Rescue Boat championships in New Plymouth (March 28-29)
The programme
Otago events
November 22, Taieri River races.
December 7, Interclub, Brighton (seniors), St Clair (juniors).
December 14, Kaka Point, seniors and juniors.
January 25, Warrington (seniors), Brighton (juniors).
February 5, St Clair (seniors and juniors).
February 14-15, Southern Ocean event, Warrington (juniors).
February 28, Otago championships, Warrington (seniors).
March 1, Otago junior championships, Warrington.
March 7, South Island IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) championships, Warrington.
New Zealand events
January 31-February 1, under-14 and under-16 interdistricts, Mt Maunganui.
February 7-8, Surf league, Mt Maunganui.
March 12-15, New Zealand championships, Gisborne.
March 28-29, New Zealand IRB championships, New Plymouth.
