New Zealand’s top Inflatable Rescue Boat crews will descend on Gisborne this weekend for the country’s premier IRB racing championships.

A total of 342 competitors across 118 crews from 30 surf lifesaving clubs will battle the surf at Waikanae Beach from Friday to Sunday.

Strong participation across the sport will again be on show, with 49 female and 69 male crews lining up, alongside growing under‑23 divisions signalling a powerful new wave of emerging IRB talent.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) sport general manager Zac Franich said IRB racing remained one of the most practical and exciting forms of lifesaving sport.

“IRB racing is unique because it closely mirrors real rescue situations. Drivers and crew need to read the surf, make quick decisions and work together seamlessly to execute a rescue. It is physically demanding, but these skills are exactly what lifeguards rely on when responding to emergencies on our beaches.”

Recent regional events have set the stage for a highly competitive championship.

Sumner, St Kilda and North Beach impressed at the South Island event, while Sunset Beach, Waimarama and Opunake led the way in the North Island, setting up strong rivalries heading into Gisborne.

While Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Club return as defending champions, having claimed multiple national titles in recent years – including back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025 – this year’s championships could signal a changing of the guard, with new crew combinations emerging across several leading clubs.

Host club Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club would also be one to watch, following strong performances at the North Island Championships, including multiple gold medals in the open men’s division.

Clubs like Fitzroy were also on the rise, growing from just one crew in 2024 to eight this year, driven by the return of experienced athletes and coaches like SLSNZ Hall of Fame members Jaron Mumby and Chris Scott, which adds depth to the competition.

Crews would compete across five disciplines designed around rescue scenarios: Single Rescue, Mass Rescue, Assembly Rescue, Tube Rescue and Teams Rescue, each requiring a different combination of teamwork, surf awareness and technical boat handling.

International competition would also feature, with Australian surf clubs Kirra and Kurrawa sending crews to compete, adding a transtasman edge to the racing.

New Zealand head of country for bp, Haley Mahoney, said IRBs were a critical tool in surf rescue operations.

“These boats are one of the most important pieces of equipment surf lifeguards use. They allow crews to reach people quickly in difficult surf conditions and in areas that can be hard to access from the shore.

“At bp we are proud to support Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the crews who train hard to operate these boats safely and effectively. The IRB championships are a great way to recognise the skill and commitment behind that work.”

Alongside the athletes, the event relies on a large network of volunteer officials, safety teams and organisers to ensure racing is staged safely and professionally.

Franich said contribution was just as important as the racing.

“These championships would not happen without the dedication of volunteers and officials who support the sport. Their work ensures competitors can perform at their best in a safe and well-run environment.”