Surf life savers dominate in pool

Lochlainn O'Connor set four New Zealand records at the New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships in Auckland.

Surf Life Saving
Mount Maunganui surf life savers have again created history, successfully defending their title at the national pool rescue championships in Auckland over the weekend.

The Bay of Plenty club again holds both the pool-based Paul Kent Memorial Trophy and beach-based Alan Gardner Trophy, after becoming the first New Zealand club to hold both crowns last season.

Their record-breaking performance in Auckland saw them amass 162 points over the three-day competition, pulling 51 points clear of second-placed Orewa, with Mairangi Bay a distant third on 79 points.

Included in their 28 gold medals were an incredible 13 relay wins, setting 14 nationals records along the way including the event-ending open mega relay.

Lochlainn O'Connor led the individual charge in the under-16 boys' division, winning five finals, while Tarquin Magner (under-13) and Daniel Shanahan (under-14) were close behind with four and three golds respectively.

"We had some exceptional individual performances but I was just so proud at how the entire team stepped up," said Mount coach John Bryant.

"Pretty much every swimmer we took up set a PB and we just couldn't seem to miss. To have those two trophies sitting side-by-side in the clubrooms again is something all our athletes can cherish."

Libby Bradley and Daniel Barron both won gold in the under-19 division too, with Bradley setting a new national record in the 50m manikin carry.

The top Masters Club Trophy, presented to the top club with culmination of points in the Masters age groups, went to Orewa Surf Club with 58 points. Red Beach were second on 45 points followed by Mairangi Bay with 34.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand sport manager Mike Lord said this year's pool championship was the biggest yet with a record 603 entries and it was also one of the most successful

"What a way to kick-off the surf sport season. We pride ourselves on setting the way with pool rescue and the amazing results that came out of the three days of racing proved that. Two world records and over 40 New Zealand records is truly outstanding.''

Omanu finished the championships in 10th with 32 points and Papamoa were 14th with 25 points.

New Zealand records set by Mount Maunganui athletes
50m Swim with Fins:
Men's U16, Lochlainn O'Connor 00.19.93
100m Manikin Carry with Fins:
Men's U16, Lochlainn O'Connor 00.53.69
100m Swim with Obstacles:
Men's U13, Tarquin Magner 01.05.15
200m Swim With Obstacles:
Men's U16, Lochlainn O'Connor 02.06.32
50m Rescue Medley - Brick:
Men's U13, Tarquin Magner 00.28.36
100m Rescue Medley - Manikin:
Men's U16, Lochlainn O'Connor 01.09.47
Line Throw:
Men's Masters, Akroyd G, Newton A 00.13.52
50m Manikin Carry without Fins:
Women's U19 Libby Bradley 00.37.92
4 x 25m Brick Relay:
Women's U12 Pearce, Wilson, Akroyd, Thompson 01.43.43
Men's U14, Wagstaff, Magner, Shanahan, Reeder 01.19.64
4 x 25m Manikin Relay:
Men's U19, Dempster, O'Connor, Barron, Marshall 01.21.43
6 x 50m Mega Relay
Mixed Open, Simpson, O'Connor, Bradley, Bradley, Barron, Akroyd 2.19.89