As young competitors prepare for this week's national carnival, organisers of the Under-14 NZ Surf Life Saving Championships are working tirelessly to prepare Mount Maunganui's Main Beach for the occasion.

The annual junior showpiece, starting tomorrow, will feature 825 competitors from 45 clubs around the country.

Mount Maunganui Beach will be packed with U14 competitors and their supporters this weekend.

Tents are being erected on Mount Maunganui Beach prior to this weekend's Oceans'14 Surf Life Saving competition.

It is the biggest event in the calendar for young clubbies, who will compete in four age groups from the Under-11s through to Under-14s, from Thursday to Sunday.

But an influx of 1200 competitors and supporters converging on Tauranga is no small task for organisers.

A considerable amount of planning and resources go into coordinating the annual Mount showcase, with two months of logistical planning, 80 volunteers and 300 man hours setting up the beach.

Surf Life Saving NZ equipment logistics manager, Alan Coates, was first on the scene 10 days ago, overseeing the arrival of the portacom buildings and the tower, arriving before dawn most mornings to limit the impact on the general public using the beach.

Alan and event manager Haley McMahon have then been charged with coordinating an army of personnel that includes volunteers, event lifeguards and water safety experts, electricians, crane operators, bobcat drivers and support staff.

More than 100 people are directly involved in setting up the arena and making sure the event runs smoothly.

'The whole operation relies on good planning and strong support and communication from the local authorities and business community,” says Haley.

'It's a massive event, but a lot of our staff and work party members have been doing this for a number of years and know exactly what needs doing and when. It really is hugely satisfying to see it all come together each year.”

While the stands and commentary tower were put in place last week, the final four days leading into the event are the busiest with scaffolding erected and the administration hub put in place.

Trenches need to be dug for cabling hundreds of metres of wire and the elaborate sprint track, with timing gates, set up.

Security personnel then patrol the area at night, continuing on through the event.

SLSNZ also sets up barriers and signage to protect the fragile dune ecosystem behind the beach, keeping athletes and the public off the pingao and maram grasses.

The event is also keeping accommodation operators on their toes with many reporting a surge in bookings.

Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park manager Mark Hales says they are close to putting up the 'no accommodation” signs with many clubs and teams arriving in the next 24 hours.

'We are basically pretty close to full because of that. It's a bit hard to give specific on numbers but we have quite a few different teams staying. As well as the regulars booked in and the randoms that show up; we are pretty much going to be full for the next three or four days,” says Mark.

The holiday park, which holds about 550- 600 people, is hosting a mixture of teams from Otaki, Auckland's Red Beach, Muriwai and Hawke's Bay spread throughout the park, with many securing spots well in advance.

'A lot of them will be making bookings when they arrive for the event next year. It's really good and they keep coming back.”

Cosy Corner Holiday Park owner Greg Davidson says the park is bursting at the seams with a number of athletes and their families spending time in the Bay of Plenty for numerous sporting activities this weekend.

'We are full for the weekend and probably only have tent sites left all the accommodation is gone. The Weetbix TRYathlon is also on so it's a bit of both really,” says Greg.

By the numbers:

825 competitors

45 clubs

80 volunteer staff

10 event staff

300 man hours setting up beach

Two months event planning logistics

Accommodation for 1200 athletes and supporters