The richest short-course surf lifesaving event in New Zealand is returning to the Mount this Sunday.

The Omanu Beach Day of Champions is in its 11th year, and offers a combined prize pool of $6000.

Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club general manager Michelle Smith says the event is known for its spot prizes, some of which are big ticket items.

'There's a Sonic ski up for grabs, for instance, which is worth $3500. We've also got vouchers from the Waterman Store and Bayfair.”

Michelle says another selling point of the event is its non-stop action.

'What makes this one quite unique compared to other events is it's a very fast and furious race. We start at 10am with heats until 12pm.

'At 1pm the finals begin, and by 1.30pm-2pm it's all done and dusted. So from a spectator point of view it's pretty cool as it's action-packed, they're not sitting around all day.”

Significantly, the event also has added meaning for members of the Omanu club.

'What makes this special for us is that it's also a memorial event for Ian Porteous, a stalwart at the club, who died tragically before the Day of Champions when he was just 44. He was a pretty amazing man and a proud Omanu club member.”

One of the day's races is thus named after him – the Ian Porteous Iron Man.

Michelle is also excited to see more than half of the 100-plus entries are in the teenage groups.

'It's a testament to the depth of the sport and the upcoming talent. These young men and women have grown up watching this event and seeing some of the best ironmen New Zealand has produced.

'This is their opportunity to get a taste of competing on the same stage as their idols.”

It's popular with locals, too, with massive crowds turning out.

'People know it's a great spectator event. Our club is up on a hill, so that's always jam-packed as people get a good view.”