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The recent National Pool Rescue Championships will be remembered for a string of record-breaking performances.
Staged by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand over three days at the National Aquatic Centre in Rosedale, the event attracted 561 competitors across junior, senior and masters divisions. Athletes came from throughout New Zealand and Australia to showcase their speed, skill and teamwork.
Spectators were treated to a steady stream of top performances, with many long-standing records falling. One of the most anticipated swims was by Red Beach Surf Club’s Zoe Pedersen in the U19 women’s 50m Manikin Carry. She broke her own youth world record of 33.52sec, clocking 33.08sec. The new youth world record time is provisional, but it is confirmed as a New Zealand record in the U19 division. Pedersen finished the championships with three gold and three silver medals, including several in team events.
Red Beach teammate Dylan Blanchard was also in record-breaking form. In the U17 men’s 100m Manikin Tow, he set a new national record of 54.59sec, 1.5sec faster than the previous mark. He went on to win five gold medals, three in individual events and two in team races, along with three silvers and a bronze.
At the end of the championships, selectors named the New Zealand Black Fins team to compete in the European Pool Rescue Tour in November. Red Beach lifeguard Jasper Cornish made history as the first from his club to earn selection. The team will compete at the German Cup in Warendorf and the Orange Cup in Rotterdam, stepping stones towards the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club competitors also shone in the pool, particularly in the junior events.
Tia de Jong won four golds, including the U12 50m Brick Carry, 100m Patient Tow with Pippa Walker, 50m Swim with Obstacles, and the composite team relay with Zara McCarten.
Kason Wijnstok took gold in the U13 50m Rescue Medley Brick, as well as two bronzes.
In the masters division, Russell Dodds earned silver and bronze, while Rachel O’Rielly claimed bronze.
