Surf Lifesaving: National squads put through paces

Andrew Newton is among the local representatives in the open and development New Zealand surf lifesaving squads. Photo / File

It was all focus and determination for New Zealand's surf lifesaving squads in Auckland over the weekend when they took part in their first training camp in the Rescue 2016 campaign.

The 60 athletes in the New Zealand Open and Development squads took part in the camp from Friday night through to Sunday at the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health in Mairangi Bay.

New Zealand team manager Mark Weatherall said they had a really good weekend with the two squads.

"It was the first time in about two years we've had two full squads together like this so it was fantastic to have them all in the one place, as one team, and feed off of each other in their training and team building activities," he said.

The squads were involved with specific pool, beach and craft coaching sessions with some legends of those disciplines passing on some of their knowledge.

Mr Weatherall said it was a great opportunity for some of the youth athletes in particular to take in some tips and learn off our 2014 World Champion athletes that are in this year's open squad.

"It was also fantastic to have former New Zealand team members Morgan Foster, Michael Buck and Olympian Dean Kent at the pool for some coaching on Saturday.

"That's a huge amount of experience to put into the 2016 campaign."

The road to Rescue 2016, the Lifesaving World Championships, will be a busy one for the two squads over the coming year.

The Sanyo Cup takes place in Japan next month followed by the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Australia in September.

Omanu's Max Beattie will captain the Sanyo Cup team while Fitzroy's Paul Cracroft-Wilson will lead the Black Fins at the International Surf Rescue Challenge.

Midway's Matthew Scott and Red Beach's Kelsi Boocock will co-captain the New Zealand Youth team at the International Surf Rescue Challenge.

Local squad members

New Zealand open squad:

Adam Simpson, Mt Maunganui, Andrew Newton, Mt Maunganui, Ben Johnston, Papamoa,
Kodi Harman, Papamoa, Max Beattie, Omanu, Natalie Peat, Papamoa, Olivia Eaton, Mt
Maunganui.

New Zealand development squad:

Alicia Wilson, Mt Maunganui, Ben Cochrane, Omanu, Daniel Barron, Mt Maunganui, Dylan Williams, Mt Maunganui, Hamish Miller, Mt Maunganui, Jake Hales, Papamoa, Jessica Miller, Mt Maunganui, Kane Sefton, Mt Maunganui, Libby Bradley, Mt Maunganui, Madison Kidd, Papamoa, Maia Bryant, Papamoa, Mitch Cowdrey, Papamoa, Perry Farrell, Mt
Maunganui, Taris Harker, Omanu.