Dawson and Quilter in NZ team

Wainui will be boosted by the return of Laura Quilter. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE surf lifesavers Chris Dawson (Midway) and Laura Quilter (Wainui) are in the New Zealand team to compete in the European pool rescue competitions the Orange Cup and German Cup.

Members of the eight-strong team were announced by Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

The Orange Cup, formerly known as the BeNe Cup, will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium in Eindhoven, official pool venue for the 2016 Lifesaving World Championships.

Then the team will contest the German Cup in Warendorf, Germany, on November 20 and 21.

The team leaves on November 12 with coach Steven Ferguson and team manager Mark Weatherall.

Other team members are Andrew McMillian, Andrew Trembath and Carina Doyle (all St Clair), Natalie Peat (Papamoa), Samantha Lee (Lyall Bay) and Steven Kent (Titahi Bay).

Auckland-based Quilter’s Wainui club had success at the New Zealand Pool Nationals at the West Wave Aquatic Centre over the weekend.

Head coach and manager Dion Williams had six competitors at the nationals.

The club won eight medals in total, including four gold.

Laura Quilter won gold in the open women’s 50 metres with fins, and the 100m manikin tow.

Corey Williams won the masters’ 50m with fins.

Siblings Ben and Laura Quilter, along with Chloe Francis and Nick TePuni won gold for Wainui in the open mixed 4x50m obstacle race.

Silver medals went to Corey Williams in the masters’ 100m obstacle race and Laura Quilter in the women’s 200m obstacle race.

Laura Quilter also took bronze in the women’s 100m manikin carry and women’s 100m rescue medley.

Over 500 competitors took part in the nationals, and they included a team from China.