Tauranga's synchronised swimmers are hoping to make a big splash on the sporting scene by hosting the North Island Synchronised Swimming Championships for the first time this afternoon.

Tauranga Synchronised Swimming Club chair Shirley Hopper says the event us another local milestones for the sport – which is seeing tremendous growth in the area.

Tauranga Synchronised Swimming Club. Photo: Daniel Hines.

'We have 23 swimmers competing this weekend, which is phenomenal for us.

'We've grown a lot over the past few years. It's very exciting.”

The championships will run alongside the North Island inter-school championships at Baywave.

While this weekend's event is not yet at Olympic standard, Shirley hopes the region will soon become a fighting force nationally in the growing sport.

'We've got a big contingent coming through. This is our biggest team ever.”

The championships run from 3-5pm today and 9am-1pm tomorrow.

To see what else is happening around the region check out SunLive's What's On listings.

Saturday 27 July

2013 Christian Singles

Born again friendship group meet monthly socially plus 1st & 3rd Tues of month at Mc cafe Mount 10am. Email: [email protected] or 0211 827 972

Alcoholics Anonymous

Women's meeting at Mount Primary School, Orkney Rd 10-11am. Children welcome.

Arts Market

At the Cargo Shed. Open Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm. More changes have happened since last weekend. Have coffee & biscotti & see what's happening.

Beauty for Ashes Seminar

Aug 3 at Lighthouse Presbyterian Church, Welcome Bay 9.45am - 3.30pm. Door donation (no Eftpos or childcare).

Beekeeping Hobbyists

At 501 Kaitemako Rd, Welcome Bay 2pm. Gordon 027 544 2882

Books Wanted

Harbour City Lions need donations of tidy books for the annual book sale held later this year. To arrange pick up ph 576 2505 or 576 6825

Car Boot & Market Day

Held by Welcome Bay Community Centre Aug 3 at Welcome Bay Hall car park. Sausage sizzle, car boot & stalls 9am - 12pm. 544 9774 to book car boot/stall site or email: [email protected]

Car Wash & Sausage Sizzle

Welcome Bay car park 9am – 12pm. Support your local community. 544 9774 or email: [email protected]

Come Dancing Tonight

Sequence & old time dancing at Greerton Hall 7.30-11pm. Friendly atmosphere, good music & supper. Run by Tauranga Scottish Soc. Allyson 576 9194

Garage Sale

St Andrew's Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui 8am.

Gate Pa Tennis Club

60th Reunion Oct 12. Catch up with people you have lost contact with or haven't seen for some time. Full programme of the days events available. Geoff 570 1168. Register your interest [email protected]

Market

Greerton Hall 8am - 12pm. Crafts, plants, produce, bric-a-brac. Merv/Nancy Waihi 07 863 6697

Messianic Weekly Meetings

The Way meet in the Kingfisher Room, Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 10am. All welcome. 570 1438

Mozart's Coronation Mass

And Haydn's Nicolas mass presented by Scholars Pro Musica & consort of instruments Aug 3 7.30pm & Aug 4 2.30pm at St Peter's Anglican Church, Victoria Rd, Mt Maunganui. Tickets $20 beforehand & $25 at the door.

Oropi Annual Dance Night

Oropi Hall 8pm. Live band entertainment: Gerry Lee. $25pp, supper & prizes included. Refreshments available. For tickets George 544 2595

Social Dance

Aug 10 at Greerton Hall, 1247 Cameron Rd 7.30pm. BYO drink & nibbles. All welcome. Supreme Dance Centre 543 2377 or 027 322 1786. Just come on the night.

Taichi Qigong

Every Sat at Memorial Park between mini golf & playground 10am. Free to join. All welcome.

Taoist Tai Chi

Renovate your body, challenge your mind. Taoist Ta Chi Tauranga Clubrooms 15 Koromiko St, Judea 9.30-11am. 6 week introduction to Taoist Tai Chi Internal Arts of Health. Cost $45. John 576 9836

Tauranga Farmers Market

Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Fresh & artisian produced food. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz

Tauranga Fuchsia Group

Arts & Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St West 11.30am. Lunch, bring & buy, plants, produce, books. New members welcome. Pat 579 1655

The Sociables

30's/40' age group of males & females that meet once a week to socialise by dining out or participating in local activities & events. Email: [email protected]

What is Happiness?

Find out how Nichiren Buddhism can help us reveal our true selves & attain indestructible happiness. Every Sat at Otumoetai Plunket rooms, 59 Otumoetai Rd, 2-3.30pm. www.sgi.org -for info email: [email protected]