More than 100 athletes from the local surf life saving clubs are testing their fitness levels by competing in the fourth annual Pak'n Save Omanu Classic at Omanu Beach on Friday.

The Omanu Classic has grown since its inception and now incorporates the Ian Porteous Memorial Ironman as well as surf, board and ski races, a three-race surf boat series and an IRB series which includes an assembly race, single rescue and single race.

Ian Porteous was an Omanu club member and former Mount Maunganui College school teacher who died in the mid 1990s. Ian was also heavily involved in dunecare, and was one of the original promoters of the board walks and beach access paths that now protect the foredune.
From what started as a club day in memory of a man who used to run to the top of the Mount and back to his Campbell Road home every day, The Ian Porteous Ironman is now a key event in the Surf Life Saving circuit.

The carnival finishes at 4pm. Spectators are welcome.

Omanu Surf Club chairman Donal Boyce and event lifeguard manager Briar Macen.

Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club member Kathryn Stewart.

Taylor Rogers, Danielle Sutherland, Ellen Taylor-Byrne and Bridgit Hart from Rarangi Surf Life Saving Club in Blenhiem.

Kate Ratty and Chris Emmett of the Regional Life Guard Service keep watch.

Ed Elliot-Square with his daughter Megan and Oliver Mitchell.