New Zealand surf life saving clubs offer training to both adults and to young people who may eventually wish to qualify as lifeguards. These juniors, or ‘nippers’, learn a range of skills through competitions such as the beach flag event. In each round, a group of competitors race for a limited number of batons representing beach flags. Those who don’t secure a baton are eliminated from the contest. Pictured are Logan Woodhead (left) and Charles Pipe, vying for a baton at Waihī Beach in 2003.