Gisborne surf lifesaving athletes have been prominently featured in the New Zealand teams selected for upcoming international events, with several local stars set to compete on the global stage later this year.
Among the top selections, the International Surf Rescue Challenge will return to New Zealand shores for the first time in eight years, set to take place in Mount Maunganui from November 27 to 30. Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has named the Black Fins, Junior Black Fins, and Pathway teams, with a strong presence from Gisborne’s Midway and Waikanae clubs.
Cory Taylor and Olivia Corrin, both of Gisborne’s Dawson Building Midway Club, have earned places in the prestigious Black Fins team. They will join fellow Black Fins members Briana Irving and Oska Smith from Waikanae’s Kaiaponi Farms Club, who are seasoned veterans of the squad. Irving and Smith were part of the New Zealand contingent at last year’s Lifesaving World Championships in the Gold Coast, where they secured a win in the beach sprint event.
Also making the cut for the Junior Black Fins squad is Jacqueline Kennedy and Ella Sutton, both from Midway Club. Sutton’s stellar performances have earned her spots in both the Junior Black Fins and Youth teams, showcasing her rising star potential in the sport.
The New Zealand Pathway team sees notable local athletes, including Midway’s Tyron Evans, Sophie Petro, and young up-and-comers Seven Mapu from Waikanae and Jack Keepa, a former Wainui and Waikanae athlete now competing for Omanu in the Bay of Plenty. The Pathway team’s selection comes as part of a broader effort to develop emerging talent, with the athletes set to compete at the Battle of the Tasman on the Gold Coast from August 28 to 30.
High Performance Sport Manager Tanya Hamilton emphasized the Black Fins’ legacy, highlighting their consistent top finishes and multiple world championships since the team’s inception in 1937. “The wealth of experience within this team will undoubtedly elevate the new talent and place the Black Fins in a strong position to secure victory at the International Surf Rescue Challenge,” Hamilton said. “It will be a super-proud moment to see the teams compete in front of a home crowd.”
This year’s competition marks a particularly significant opportunity for New Zealand athletes to gain international exposure, with many of them preparing for the prestigious Lifesaving World Championships. Hamilton added that the transtasman event in August will serve as an important stepping stone for athletes aiming to perform on the world stage.
“It’s an exciting year for lifesaving sport, with so many athletes having the chance to compete on the international stage,” Hamilton said. “Exposure to global competition and the experience of performing under pressure will strengthen our sport and keep New Zealand competitive on the world stage.”
For Gisborne’s surf lifesaving community, the upcoming competitions represent a major milestone and a source of pride, as local athletes continue to shine on the international stage.