Surf Lifeguards from around New Zealand and across the Tasman are gearing up for a weekend of intense action and high-stakes racing at the bp New Zealand IRB Championships at Waihi Beach.

A total of 122 crews from 30 clubs, including one from Australia, will put their rescue skills to the test across five different disciplines in 18 adrenaline-fueled Inflatable Rescue Boat races, including patient pick-ups and team relays.

The IRB crews are no strangers to saving lives, last season they were involved in 47 per cent of Surf Lifesaving rescues.

IRBs were also used to rescue hundreds of people in Auckland and Hawke's Bay following devastating flooding in both regions earlier this year.

"IRB racing is fast and exciting and the bp IRB New Zealand Championships requires our best lifeguards to perform their rescue skills under intense pressure," says SLSNZ's national sport manager Lewis McClintock.

"While it's a competition, it's still fundamentally about navigating the surf in order to get patients out and get them back to shore as quickly and safely as possible.

"With the Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast in 2024 it's also a great opportunity for crews to showcase their skills in front of selectors as well”

With ever-changing surf and weather conditions, the competition promises to be nothing short of spectacular as life guards showcase their technical expertise and incredible physical fitness.

"We have seen IRBs used extensively in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle and the flooding in Auckland," says Bp Head of Country NZ, Matt Elliott.

"Racing against other crews results in improved skills that Surf Lifeguards can use when responding to these types of incidents. bp is proud to support Surf Life Saving New Zealand and to have our brand on the IRBs and we wish all competitors a safe and exciting weekend of racing."

The event will be the grand finale of the 2022/2023 Lifesaving Sport calendar. It takes place from April 15 – 16, with racing kicking off at 8:30am and running until 3:30pm each day.