Kree Smith, of Northland's Wainui Valley, hits the water at Russell's Manu Masters last year. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf
The Manu World Championship finals are being held in Auckland today with organisers expecting thousands of spectators.
The event where people dive bomb into the water is being held at Karanga Plaza and the Tidal Stairs at the Viaduct on Saturday from 9am until 7pm.
Organiser Scott Rice told RNZ's Saturday Mornings he expected the crown to be taken out by a North Island bomber.
"Whangārei and the Waikato are really good, we've certainly got some in Hastings, around Hastings, actually I need to give a nod to Nelson, they had some really good talent."
There was a lot of technique involved in the perfect manu, Rice said.
"It's getting the right jump off the platform...the nice flight on the way down to the water and then hitting the water with your rear-end first and your arms and legs raised in a V and then collapsing in the water to explode the water upwards."
Ten qualifying events were held in eight cities around the country ahead of the finals today. A hundred finalists were expected to compete Saturday.
"There's plenty of stand outs it's going to be such a great day."
Rice said there were different styles of dive bombs. The competition has a freestyle and traditional category.
"On the water we've got a hundred finalists from around the country and the crowd should be pretty big, I'd say we have thousands and thousands and thousands of people here," Rice said.
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