The energy levels at Mount Maunganui beach were high, as well as the waves, on day one of the International Surf Rescue Challenge.

A total of 174 athletes from 11 countries kicked off at Mount Maunganui on Thursday.

The first half of the programme saw some epic performances before being cut short due to challenging conditions, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) said in a statement.

The day one test saw high swell energy and waves coming at short intervals calling time on racing.

“Athlete safety is paramount, and if the safety team can’t operate in the break zone should anyone get into trouble, then these decisions need to be made,” SLSNZ sport general manager Zac Franich said.

“This is part of what makes lifesaving sport special; teams aren’t just competing against one another they’re also tackling the elements.”

Franich said these were the type of conditions lifeguards need to go out in regularly around the country, and so it was great to be able to provide this opportunity to test their skills, albeit a reduced programme.

Action from day one of the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Mount Maunganui. Photo / Jamie Troughton Dscribe Media Services

The points from test one count towards an overall total from each of the three tests, which will crown one nation the ultimate International Surf Rescue Champions.

The New Zealand open team, the Black Fins, are in the lead based on points from yesterday, with two tests remaining.

“We have some great positive vibes in the team right now,” Black Fins head coach Kev Morrison said.

“It’s obviously been a strange and tough day having not raced all events, but our team is calm. They controlled what they could control today and made calm and made clear decisions that led to great results.”

Morrison said captain Cory Taylor led the way for the team and calmed nerves.

Black Fins captain Cory Taylor in action in the ski race event. Photo / Jamie Troughton Dscribe Media Services

He was the second across the line in the ski race, then second across the line in the surf race.

“Our two beach sprinters Briana Irving and Oska Smith came away with wins, and they absolutely lit up the beach arena. From the pathway team, ski paddler Julia Padrutt did a fantastic job in the conditions and came in first.

“It was great to see the performances of so many teams here in New Zealand, testing these elements with us and representing their countries with pride. One highlight was the amazing swim from Sara Tazaki from Japan who came in first this morning.”

Morrison said another highlight was the way the officials managed a tough day.

He said it would have been easy to just say “this isn’t happening today”, but they gave some of the world’s best lifeguards the opportunity to get out there and test their wares in some of the most challenging conditions he’d ever seen.

There are 44 races each day across 13 events, with Open, Youth and Pathway divisions. Photo / Jamie Troughton Dscribe Media Services

“For today, there’s a chance we’ll see a decrease in the swells but we do know that we’re not going to turn up tomorrow to a lake.

“It’s potentially a more difficult challenge for New Zealand, given that as soon as the swell size reduces, all the competition excels.

“The task ahead of our team is immense but they’re up for it. We’ll regroup tonight and make sure that we can control what we can control. And we’ll leave the rest of it up to Tangaroa.”

Today is day two of the competition, with day three scheduled for Sunday, December 30.