The Z Manu World Champs will make a big splash in Dunedin as dive bombers from around the region take over the Otago Harbour.
The Z Manu World Champs - Dunedin Qualifier is the first competition of the series, taking place at Steamer Basin Wharf on 30 November.
The event is a (dive) bombing competition consisting of 11 qualifying events across 9 New Zealand cities and for the first time the Gold Coast, Australia.
The Dunedin competition, the only one in the southern South Island, is open to participants aged 8-18+ years who can compete in categories including Manu and freestyle. The winners will go on to compete in the finals in Auckland where more than 130 of the best manu and dive-bombing athletes battle it out for national titles and prizes.
Though Dunedin has previously held Manu competitions, this is the first year the city is a part of the official series and acts as a qualifying round for nationals.
Local organiser, He Waka Kōtuia kaihautū Komene Cassidy is encouraging participants far and wide to sign up and pop some “phat manus” at the Dunedin competition.
“It’s been fantastic to see this event grow from a local, grassroots event for the past four years, into being an officially sanctioned qualifying competition for the first time. Rangatahi from around the Dunedin area have been popping Manus from Moana’s diving pools to the pontoons and wharves around the harbour for years, the art of popping phat Manus has long been a southern summer tradition.
“It’s going to be an awesome day with some great activities alongside the competition. We want to make sure we spread the word as wide as possible so competitors can mark it in their calendars, get some practice in the lead up, and be ready to make it a competitive event when the day arrives.”
Z Manu World Champs Event Director Scott Rice says: “The Z Manu World Champs have captured the hearts and imagination of New Zealanders. Now, with two years of successful competition behind us, it’s even more exciting.
“We’ve got reigning champs returning to defend their titles, contenders determined to set the record straight, and plenty of new faces stepping up. This will be the event of summer in New Zealand, and we’re stoked to be kicking off in Dunedin!”
The Dunedin qualifying competition is one of several diverse events that have received support through the Dunedin City Council’s event procurement budget.
Enterprise Dunedin Events team leader Dan Hendra says this event supports the aspirations set out in the Dunedin Festivals and Events plan that was signed off by councillors earlier this year.
“We are making sure we strategically fund a variety of diverse events for the community and those further afield to enjoy. Something quirky like the Manu champs ticks a few boxes for us in terms of creating a fun family-friendly event that is also a bit out there and fun for the spectators too.
“This event is just one of many that are on the agenda for Dunedinites and visitors to enjoy in the coming months. Others that have planning under way include a further scaled-up George Street Market, which launched this year, continuing the multi-day Chinese Cultural Festival with an eye to attract regional, national, and hopefully China-market visitors, as well as the recently announced international women’s hockey tournament and many more.”