A manu competition at Havelock Village Pools in Hastings on 27 November, 2022. Photo: Supplied / Hastings District Council
The first ever Manu World Championships gets underway in Wellington this weekend, where the contestant with the best v-shaped divebomb will be awarded a grand prize of $30,000.
Event organiser Scott Rice said depth, volume and splash will all play a part in deciding on a winner.
He told Morning Report that manu was the term for a style of bomb into the water.
"It originated from, most say out South Auckland, Manurewa, Māngere. It's also called a v-bomb ... where the bum goes into the water first and the arms and legs are raised in a v and they collapse when they get there, causing a massive splash."
Rice explained there were a lot of other styles as well, including the gorilla, coffin and staple.
There was definitely technique in making a good splash, although having a "little bit of body mass" and the height from which people jump does help, he said.
"The bum goes in first, [get] a tight v and as the bum enters the water, probably about a foot under water, that's when it collapses ... [your] head and [your] back goes back forcefully into the water and that kind of creates that, propulsion of the water upwards."
Rice said in the qualifying round, contestants will be judged on splash, height and volume.
But the finals would have another component to consider.
"We add a decibel reading in the final to measure their boom ... the sound of their bomb, which is going to be interesting," he said.
Rice is raising the call-out to all manu competitors.
"Anyone who can make a big splash, we're wanting them to come along and register."
