Strong lineup at North Island IRB champs

Taranaki's strong IRB ranks will be tested by a large influx of rivals from around the country at the North Island BP surf rescue championships in Whangamata this weekend.

The province's two powerhouse clubs, East End and Fitzroy, contributing six crews and five crews respectively to the carnival, with New Plymouth Old Boys and Opunake also represented.

Fitzroy will have the services of reigning national mass rescue and assembly rescue champions Chris Scott and Jaron Mumby, as well as past champion women's crew Emma Crofskey and Katie Watts.

East End will have to do without their top crew of recent years, Andrew Cronin and James Morwood, who helped their club win the overall title at the last nationals.

The Taranaki dominance will also face competition from a big Auckland contingent, with Muriwai contributing six crews, Kariaotahi four and Ruakaka three.

Gisborne's Wainui club - home of under-21 national champions Yannis Kokkosis and Pera Gibbs - are bringing a 20-strong team up.

There are also South Island crews competing, with Dunedin's St Clair and Brighton clubs represented.

In all, 30 clubs from around the country will compete over the two days in tube rescue, mass rescue, assembly rescue, single rescue and open teams racing. There are 11 crews in the premier men's division, 12 in the women's and 32 in the under-21 ranks, with another 27 teams in the senior men's ranks.