Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service

11/04/2026

https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/services-facilities/environment-health/civil-defence/cyclone-vaianu

For ongoing updates, go to the Waikato Civil Defence website and follow the pages for Waikato Civil Defence and Waikato District Council.

07/04/2026

2026 Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service Awards of Excellence

The awards were presented to a full house at the Community Hub. Malcolm Beattie welcomed the Life Members present, parents and family of club members including junior guards and members of the Port Waikato Board Riders Club.

Malcolm highlighted the successful season of club activities. These included the New Zealand title for Top IRB team, Gold Medal for the Surf Boat Team, Rescues on the Port Waikato bar and patrolling. Also, a very successful Junior Guard program.

A new award was presented this year, the ‘Edwards IRB Leadership Award’. The trophy was named in recognition of the Edwards Family contribution to IRB racing and in particular Shane Edwards’ significant contribution over the past decade to the sports development. We also recognize Taylor Edwards and her outstanding achievement in winning 50 gold medals in New Zealand, Australian and International championships. A feat that may never be matched. The trophy this year was awarded to Caitlin Walker.

The Surf Boat rowing team was recognized for their Gold Medal at the New Zealand Championships, the coveted ‘Teams Race’. Sunset Beach has not had this achievement since 1973. We look forward to the future of Sunset Beach in Surf Boat rowing after successfully supporting 4 teams in rowing this year!

There were many awards presented and lifeguards acknowledged for their service, dedication and commitment to Sunset Beach, on or off the beach. Check out the photos.

Thank you to the companies, sponsors and the community who support us in our work and sport.

03/04/2026

Port Waikato's new erosion sea wall marks victory after years of toil

Not stopping there, incentivised by the effectiveness of the community effort, residents are now looking at also improving the beach access.

29/03/2026

Day Three Finals - 2026 bp IRB Championships
The last day to score some podium finishes and conditions looked good. All clubs had improved over the weekend, so it was a battle for the medal placings and the energy was fizzing. The Sunset Beach IRB racing team did not disappoint. Most exciting race of the day was the Open Men/Mixed Teams Race where Sunset Beach crossed the line for Gold and Silver placings.

Top Club for overall Points and to retain the trophy was Sunset Beach. Congratulations, with 156 Points.

Other results:
Under 19 Male Single Rescue – Bronze
Under 19 Female Single Rescue – Bronze, Mass Rescue – Gold
Open Male Mass Rescue – Gold
Open Female Single Rescue – Silver, Open Female Mass Rescue – Gold and Bronze
Open Female Teams Race – Silver
Masters Male Mass Rescue – Silver
The trophy for Top Team for Under 19 Females was Sunset Beach - Izarah Mead, Mazie Strickett, Enero Mead, Paige Duncan
The trophy for Top Team for Open Females was Sunset Beach – Taylor Edwards, Michaela Housiaux Andrews, Aurion Mead, Holly Atkinson

Thank you Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, officials and supporters, you turned on another great event.
Follow this link for more photos of the action: https://www.facebook.com/surflifesaving

Photos credit: Maria Timmermans

28/03/2026

Day Two – 2026 bp IRB Championships

Long day on the beach for the competitors, with more surf to make the racing a lot more exciting.

The team started the day with Assembly Rescue making it through heats, semi-finals and finals. Results reflected all the training: U23 Male gold medal and 4th, U23 Female silver medal, U19 Male Bronze Medal, U19 Female Gold medal and 4th, Open Men Gold Medal, Open Women Gold and Silver Medal, Masters Men Bronze Medal. Awesome results!

The day finished with Sunset Beach on top of the Club Point score with 81 points and St Kilda chasing on 33 points.

Enjoy the photos, there’s another big day tomorrow with finals for Mass Rescue, heats and finals for Single Rescue and the team’s races.

Photos credit: Maria Timmermans

27/03/2026

118 crews, 342 competitors and 30 Surf Lifesaving clubs turned up for the first day of the 2026 bp New Zealand IRB Championships today at Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, Gisborne. We can report some great results in the Tube Rescue for Sunset Beach:
U23 Males Tube Rescue Gold and Bronze
U23 Female Tube Gold Medal
U19 Female Silver
Open Female Gold
Open Male result for gold (under review)
Looks like points are in Sunsets favour so far. Looking forward to another big day of racing Saturday and some more hard, action packed racing.

Photos credit: Maria Timmermans

26/03/2026

Good Luck to the Sunset Beach IRB Racing Team who have travelled to Gisborne to compete at the 2026 bp New Zealand IRB Championships. Here's some links to follow for live heats on the weekend. Racing starts Friday 27th March.
Live Heats: follow this link
https://www.liveheats.com/events/489243
Further event information can be found below 👇
https://bit.ly/484w1zH


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/189cmcEPWd/

10/03/2026

4 Sunset surf boat crews competed at Surf Nationals and what an fantastic weekend it was!!

🏆 3 Sunset crews competed in the teams relay WINNING the race! This is the first time Sunset has competed in the relay at national champs

🥉 Sunset U23s Men won bronze in short course

👑 Sunset Open Ladies came 5th overall in short course after a fast final

🙌 Sunset U19s Ladies had a great first national competition against many older and experienced teams

We are still buzzing off the incredible racing from all our Sunset crews!! Thank you to all the officials, supporters and crews for an epic event - we can’t wait to see what next season brings 💛💚

02/03/2026

2026 Northern Region IRB Championships – Ruakaka 28th February and 1st March

With very strong testing surf conditions due to near gale force easterly winds and rain, Sunset Club won top overall Northern Region Club with 236 points. Hard training pays dividends and Sunset came away with 21 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals. Congratulations Sunset Beach IRB Team! We welcomed our friends from Kurrawa Surf Club, Queensland who travelled over to compete in preparation for the New Zealand National IRB Championships. They took away some medals, and we certainly hope they don’t have to face similar racing conditions in Gisborne. This was the last build-up event before the National Championships in Gisborne at the end of March. Thank you to Northern Region, officials, coaches, supporters, competing teams and Ruakākā for hosting! A special thanks to City Hop, Ezi Rentals and Toyota for making our journeys to and from competitions effortless!
Photos credit: Maria Timmermans

07/02/2026

Thank you to all who joined the Sunset Beach Lifesaving Charitable Trust at the Whakawaatea for the Dune Toe Restoration Project this morning. Special thanks to Kaumatua Denis Holland, Kaumatua Kuia Rereokeroa Shaw and special guests Andrew Bayly MP and Brent Matahaere (SLSNZ).

Paimaarire kia a taatou katoa
Peach and good will to us all.

06/02/2026

Sunset Beach had 3 teams attend the Eastern Region Championships at Waihi Beach 6/2/2026. It was a good day to get into the swing of surf boat competition for the new teams. Only a small shore surf and a long haul to the buoys today and on the turn a strong westerly head win to row into. Good work teams and good luck for the North Island Champs on Saturday.