Annual surf lifesaving pool championships in Hamilton this weekend will mark the beginning of the surf season for the Eastern Region.

The Eastern Regional Pool Championships is the first competitive event for local clubs ahead of the new surf lifesaving season which officially begins next month.

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service once again has the largest number of entries with 56 athletes taking part and its neighbours Papamoa will also put on the pressure with 41 athletes.

Individual and team points will be accumulated across the events for the purpose of awarding top club honours.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Sport Manager Mark Inglis says this year, Masters points will also count towards the overall top clubs points.

'This has seen a marked increase in the number of entries with 30 Masters taking part which is fantastic to see,” he says.

The annual event, which is open to all regions but is largely attended by clubs from the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Auckland, is being held at Water world in Te Rapa.

It features events ranging from manikin carries and obstacles to line throw and rescue medleys.

The events are based around rescue capability and are specific to saving people's lives to highlight the purpose of surf lifesaving.

Racing begins at noon on Saturday and concludes with prize giving on Sunday afternoon.

Live results will be posted online.

Entries:

East End SLSC- 1

Fitzroy SLSC- 3

Mairangi Bay SLSC- 12

Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service- 56

Omanu SLSC- 25

Orewa SLSC- 8

Papamoa SLSC- 41

Piha SLSC- 3

Red Beach SLSC- 6

Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services- 20

Whakatane SLSC- 20

Whangamata SLSC- 4

Whiritoa Lifeguard Service- 6

Total= 205

http://liveresults.co.nz/sls