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Surf patrols are now back on local beaches but in the lead-up to the Labour Weekend start, many of them headed to the Surf Lifesaving NZ (SLSNZ) Pool Rescue Championships to compete.
SLSNZ says the event, which involves various lifesaving skills and techniques, is not only prestigious in itself, but “hones skills that will keep our beaches safe”.
It also provides an opportunity for participants to showcase their abilities and compete against their peers, being a key selection event for national lifesaving teams as they prepare for the 2024 World Championships.
Red Beach Surf Club’s senior lifeguards snared five records in the recent Pool Rescue Championships, which were held at the National Aquatic Centre. As a result, two club members have been named in SLSNZ’s High Performance Squad.
Collectively, the club’s Senior and Junior (U14) swimmers came away with 13 Gold, 12 Silver, and 12 Bronze medals.
Talented teen Dylan Blanchard, who recently qualified as a lifeguard, won three Gold and three Silver medals from individual and team events at the SLSNZ Pool Champs. He established NZ records in two individual events and featured in Red Beach’s U17 Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay team, which also broke a New Zealand record.
Zoe Pedersen, swimming in the U17 division, took out 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals from individual and team events and featured in three relay records. She has been named as a member of the SLSNZ High Performance Squad for 2023/24.
Swimmer Jasper Cornish, competing in the U19 division, collected a Gold medal in the 50m Swim with Fins. He has also been named in the SLSNZ High Performance Squad.
A sixth record, this time in the Junior division, was established when of Grayson Swanepoel and Koby Piggott took out the U13-14 150m Patient Tow with Fins event.
After three days of competition, with Junior points included, the club finished second overall in the race for the Paul Kent Trophy. A total of 32 clubs took part.
It was Red Beach’s second consecutive year as runners-up to trophy holders Mt Maunganui. The East End club from New Plymouth finished in third place.
Ōrewa Surf Club came fifth overall – its Juniors were fourth and Seniors fifth.
Red Beach also placed second for the Master’s Trophy, which was won by the Papamoa club.
Red Beach’s NZ Pool Rescue Records: • U13-14 Male 150m Patient Tow with Fins – Grayson Swanepoel, Koby Piggott • U15 Male 100m Manikin Tow with Fins – Dylan Blanchard • U15 Male 100m Manikin Carry with Fins – Dylan Blanchard • U17 Mixed 4x50m Obstacle Relay – Zoe Pedersen, Jonathan Swanepoel, Lily-anne Humphreys, Sam Wilde • U17 Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay – Zoe Pedersen, Jonathan Swanepoel, Dylan Blanchard, Lily-anne Humphries • Open Female 4x50m Pool Lifesaver Relay – Lucy Makaea, Kate Rogers, Maja Tyne, Zoe Pedersen
Long hot summer expected
Lifeguards will now be on patrol at Ōrewa every weekend and public holiday through to Easter. Check Ōrewa Beach patrol times at www.orewasurfclub.co.nz Patrols at Red Beach commence on Saturday, December 2. Lifeguards are expecting a hot dry summer with big crowds – already shown by the high numbers at local beaches over Labour Weekend.
