From the sea to the pool - about 190 athletes are set to take part in the 2018 Eastern Region Pool Championships next weekend.

The event will be held over two days at the Baywave Aquatic Centre, marking the first time the event has been held in a 25 metre pool in the region.

The first event is on Saturday August 18, with the second event held on Saturday September 29.

The normal venue, Te Rapa Waterworld, is currently closed and will remain so for the remainder of the year due to maintenance.

Both of these sessions will give competitors a good lead in to the National Pool Championships, being held over the weekend of October 12-14 at AUT Millennium in Auckland.

While the event will feature talented surf lifeguards from around the region, it also includes some of SLSNZ's High Performance athletes from the Junior Black Fins who will use the event as an opportunity to practice for the Lifesaving World Championships in Adelaide.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Sport Manager Mark Inglis says the event is an exciting one to watch

'The Eastern Region Pool Championships are a unique and exciting event for both competitors and spectators, as all of the events are based around rescue capability and are specific to saving lives.”

Events include the Swim with Obstacles (50m, 100m, 200m), 100m Tube with Patient and Fins, 100m Manikin Tow with Fins, 50m Swim with Fins, 100m Rescue Medley, 50m Manikin Carry without Fins, 50m Brick Carry without Fins, 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, 200m Super Lifesaver, Line Throw, 4x50m Obstacle Relay, 4x50m Medley Relay, 50m Rescue Medley and 6x50m Mega Relay.

Mark says it is the first big event of the Eastern Region's new sport season.

'So our members are pumped and ready to take part. This is where many future surf lifesaving champions are built.”