Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service have maintained their lead on day two of the TSB Bank National Surf Life Saving Championship, held at New Brighton in Christchurch.

They finished yesterday at the top of the table on 93 points, with their nearest rival Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club chasing them on 73 points.

Conditions were less-than-ideal, with the athletes proving why they are the best lifeguards in the country by pushing through some cooler South Island weather which dipped as low as 13 degrees.

TSB Bank National Surf Life Saving Championships event manager Prue Younger says although the weather was cooler, it didn't affect the event too much.

'The weather wasn't the big challenge we expected today although it did get cold enough to warrant athletes the option of wearing a wetsuit. But aside from the cold, it was a pretty good day and the weather certainly didn't put a dampener on things here.”

One standout was Liam Chesney from Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club, who managed to win both the under-16 and under-19 two-kilometre beach run events, while taking third in the open class against more experienced athletes.

'This is an incredible achievement,” says Prue.

'To run three two-kilometre beach races within the space of an hour on soft sand, and get a medal in every single one of them, is just fantastic. A huge congratulations to Liam for his amazing effort and result.”

Top 5 points after Day Two

Full results can be found here: http://liveresults.co.nz/sls