13-05-2025
Gisborne clubbies named in NZ surf lifesaving teams for international competitions
The Junior Black Fins squad includes Midway's Jacqueline Kennedy and Ella Sutton.
The Pathway team feature Midway's Tyron Evans and Sophie Petro, Waikanae's Seven Mapu and former Wainui and Waikanae athlete Jack Keepa, who now competes for Omanu in the Bay of Plenty.
Surf Life Saving NZ (SLNZ) has also announced a youth squad and two other Pathway teams to compete in the Battle of the Tasman on the Gold Coast from August 28 to 30.
Sutton is in the Youth team; the White Pathway team includes Petro and clubmate Jack Lepper; and the Grey Pathway team includes Midway's Yahni Brown and Evans.
'The Black Fins boast a rich legacy of success, including multiple world championships and consistent top-two finishes at the International Surf Rescue Challenge since its inception in 1937,' SLSNZ high performance sport manager Tanya Hamilton said.
She highlighted the strength of this year's Black Fins squad.
'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.
'It will be a super-proud moment to see the teams compete in front of a home crowd.'
Hamilton said the transtasman event catered for athletes deeper into the performance pathway.
'This competition on the Gold Coast aims to prepare athletes for the Lifesaving World Championship format, the pinnacle event in lifesaving sport.
'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 the wider lifesaving movement and keep New Zealand competitive on the world stage.'
