Strong teams named by SLNZ

TOP CLASS: Papamoa's Natalie Peat has a senior role at the World Games. PHOTO/FILE

It has been noted for many years that if you were ever to get into trouble in a surf rip the safest place to do so would be along the Western Bay coast.

That is because at the major surf clubs of Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa some of the best surf athletes in New Zealand are lifeguards - with the next generation desperately keen to emulate their world class performances.

That strength is evident in the teams selected by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand for the 2017 World Games and International Surf Rescue Challenge.

World champion Steven Kent (Titahi Bay) will captain the New Zealand team of 10 (five men, five women) for the World Games multi-sport event in Wroclaw, Poland from July 20-30.

More than 30 sports feature in the games and the lifesaving component is a pool competition only, taking place from July 21-22.

Kent is supported by Papamoa's Natalie Peat as vice-captain who is also a member of the 2014 and 2016 world champion Black Fins.

Peat has been involved in the High Performance programme for more than six years.

She says she has always looked up to her captains and is excited about the opportunity to pass on some of her own knowledge to her younger teammates.

"We've got a really great team this year. There's lots of new faces and lots of old faces so it's going to be a great mix. We've got some great relays and we're going to be really competitive, so watch out," Peat said.

Omanu's Max Beattie will captain the Black Fins team of 12 (six men, six women) for the International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC) at Mount Maunganui from November 30 to December 3.

"Personally I'd like to turn up and be a real threat in the board race and Ironman but first and foremost be a good teammate and be someone that my teammates want to be around. I think if we have fun and look after each other, the results will follow," Beattie said.

Having the event on home sand makes a massive difference.

"I think for us down in Mount Maunganui where a lot of us are from, it should be really exciting. Having a lot of family and friends should make for a really good atmosphere that I think might be that extra little bit of a pump up to get the job done down there," he said.

Beattie will be supported by fellow Omanu Surf Life Saving Club member Devon Halligan as vice-captain.

The 24-year-old was also part of the 2012 and 2016 lifesaving world champion Black Fins but was ruled out of the 2014 World Champs due to injury. She has previously qualified for the Nutri Grain Ironwoman series and represented New Zealand at the 2013 and 2015 ISRCs.

World Games: NZ team

Steven Kent - Titahi Bay, Natalie Peat - Papamoa, Carina Doyle - St Clair, Ella Drinnan - Orewa, Madison Kidd - Papamoa, Olivia Corrin - Midway, Adam Simpson - Mt Maunganui, Andrew Trembath - St Clair, Jacob Hales - Papamoa, Oscar Williams - Piha

ISRC: New Zealand Black Fins

Max Beattie - Omanu, Devon Halligan - Omanu, Carina Doyle - St Clair, Danielle McKenzie - Mairangi Bay, Kayla Imrie - Paekakariki, Natalie Peat - Papamoa, Olivia Eaton - Mt Maunganui, Cory Taylor - Midway, Kodi Harman - Papamoa, Lewis Clareburt - Lyall Bay, Marty McDowell - Titahi Bay, Nick Malcolm - Mairangi Bay