Gisborne stars to go toe to toe with elite surf lifesavers at ISRC

The best of the best lifeguard competitors in the world will come out to play in the surf at the Mount from Thursday in the International Surf Rescue Challenge. Photo / Supplied

Gisborne athletes are among the best surf lifesaving athletes on the planet doing battle in the surf and on the sand at Mount Maunganui this week in the 2025 International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC).

The fast-paced, world-class international lifesaving sport competition is returning to New Zealand for the first time since 2017.

The ISRC brings together the best of the best, with elite, youth and pathway athletes from 11 nations competing across swim, board, ski and beach events in three high-energy tests, or competition days.

Points build up across each test to crown one nation the ultimate International Surf Rescue champions.

The event also incorporates the Trans-Tasman Challenge (New Zealand v Australia) and Tri-Nations Challenge (involving New Zealand, Australia and South Africa).

Those events continue a sporting rivalry that stretches back nearly 90 years to the first transtasman surf lifesaving test in 1937.

Guiding the New Zealand team is Steve Kent, a three-time world champion, 2012 Olympian (swimming) and long-time Black Fins leader.

Australia-based Midway surf lifesaver Olivia Corrin will don the New Zealand cap for the International Surf Rescue Challenge, starting at Mt Maunganui on Thursday. Photo / Jamie Troughton-Dscribe Media Services

Kent said he was proud of the three Kiwi teams competing – the Black Fins, New Zealand Pathway team and Junior Black Fins.

“We have had to adapt to different challenges in our build-up, including many of our athletes being based overseas, and I thank them for their dedication.

“This is a special milestone for lifesaving sport. The ISRC is the purest form of surf lifesaving competition. It’s contested entirely in the ocean and on the beach, with no compromise for conditions.

“Hosting it at Mount Maunganui gives our athletes the rare chance to race under the silver fern on home turf in front of our own members, clubs and communities.”

Kent said the event also highlighted New Zealand’s strength as a coastal nation and the skill of its surf lifeguards.

“It’s about benchmarking ourselves against the best in the world in the conditions that define our way of life. The surf, the swell and the spirit of competition. That’s what surf lifesaving is all about.”

The last ISRC was held at South Padre Island in Texas in 2023, and was won by Australia.

The Black Fins were the sole New Zealand team to compete at that event. Eight of the Black Fins from that campaign will be competing again, including Gisborne’s Cory Taylor (from the Midway club), who is team captain, Briana Irving (Waikanae) and Olivia Corrin (Midway).

Former Waikanae clubbie Oska Smith, now with Bay of Plenty club Omanu, is also in the squad.

Irving and Smith are the reigning world beach sprint champions while Taylor and Corrin are based in Australia where they have competed in the elite Shaw and Partner Iron summer series.

Surf Life Saving NZ general manager of sport Zac Franich said hosting the ISRC reinforced the country’s reputation as a global leader in surf lifesaving.

“The campaign isn’t just about medals and podium finishes. It’s about drawing attention to New Zealand’s proud legacy in lifesaving sport on a world stage.

“Saving lives is still at the core of everything we do, which makes our sport unique as our athletes are also out there providing a service to their communities.

“The ISRC is an incredible showcase of athleticism, teamwork and rescue-ready skills.

“Our Black Fins, pathway and junior teams are a source of pride for the whole surf lifesaving community, and this event puts them on an international stage at home.

“It’s a rare chance for many young athletes in lifesaving sport to see their heroes competing at home.”

The championships involve three full days of back-to-back events.

“There will be 44 races each day across 13 events, with open, youth and pathway divisions. We encourage everyone to come down to the Mount and cheer our teams on.”

The Junior Black Fins team includes Gisborne’s Ella Sutton (captain) and Jacqueline Kennedy, both from the Dawson Building Midway club.

The pathway team includes Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae club member Seven Mapu and Midway’s Sophie Petro.

The ISRC features teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA.

An opening ceremony at 4pm on Wednesday will be followed by Day 1 of competition on Thursday, Day 2 on Friday and Day 3 on Sunday.

Saturday is a “team rest” day, but there will be plenty of action happening as athletes from around the country compete in the iconic Mount Monster race.