PBs, NZ records at German Cup

Midway lifeguard and NZ Black Fins captain Chris Dawson, above, was the third top overall male competitor individually at the German Cup pool rescue championships in Germany. Pictures supplied

The New Zealand Blacks Fins, captained by Gisborne’s Chris Dawson, had an incredible showing at the International German Cup, breaking eight New Zealand records.

The two-day pool rescue competition in Germany last month is an annual event that serves as a platform to test the skills and expertise of surf lifeguards.

Athletes compete in various events including swimming under floating obstacles, rescuing manikins from the bottom of the pool and line throwing.

Teams earn points for individual and relay events, with the winning team the one that accumulates the highest overall score.

At this year’s event, the eight-strong NZ team came in second place with 36,233 points, just behind Australia on 37,473 points.

Tanya Hamilton, SLSNZ High Performance Manager, said the team performed exceptionally well, chalking up personal bests and setting a number of New Zealand records.

Fergus Eadie claimed the top spot in the overall male individual category with the highest accumulated points, while Dawson secured third place.

All four Black Fins men finished within the top 10 individuals overall.

All four Black Fins females were in the top 12, with Zoe Crawford achieving the highest placement at fifth.

Hamilton said the team were “absolutely buzzing”.

“The event has served as excellent preparation ahead of the Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast next year.”

Among the results posted, the Blacks fins won the men’s 4x25m manikin relay, the men’s 4x50m medley relay, the women’s 4x50m obstacle relay, and the men’s 4x50m obstacle relay. They were second in the women’s 4x50m medley relay.

Individually, Eadie won the 50m manikin carry.

In the 100m manikin carry with fins for women, Madison Kidd and Zoe Crawford were second and third.

It was likewise in the men’s event with Dawson and Eadie second and third respectively.

In the 100m tow with fins , Crawford was first and Eadie second.

Eadie won the 100m rescue medley while Dawson was third.

The 200m obstacle swim was won by Louis Clark with Sam Brown second.