Ready to do some ‘amazing stuff’

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Three Gisborne surf lifesavers “can’t wait” to wear the black cap of their country at the Sanyo Cup international carnival in Japan next week.

Midway clubbies Cory Taylor and Olivia Corrin and Waikanae’s Casie Fyall are in the New Zealand team for the carnival being held at Momochi Seaside Park in Fukuoka on the northern shore of Kyushu island.

Taylor is captaining the team while Fyall is vice-captain. Their experience will be vital as the cup will be the first international experience for many of the team members.

They are looking forward to it.

“To race under the black cap is so exciting,” Gold Coast-based Taylor said.

“Every time you put it on, it makes everything so much more real.”

Fyall echoed those sentiments.

“I can’t wait to race with the team and represent New Zealand again. Wearing the black cap can make people do some pretty amazing stuff, so I can’t wait to see the team give it a crack and put their foot on the line with the best of the best.”

The 10-strong Black Fins team will go head to head with surf lifesavers from Australia, the United States, Great Britain, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan.

Australia have won the event every year since it started in 2007 and will again field a powerful line-up.

“The competition will be fierce, as there are so many great athletes from all over the world taking part in the Sanyo Cup,” New Zealand coach Danny Morrison said.

“The race format can be very challenging so every single race is vital to your overall success, and that’s how we’ll be tackling the event.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our younger athletes to race on the international stage against some of the best in the world for the first time.

“We are simply looking forward to seeing them compete to the best of their abilities and make everyone at home proud of their achievements, which we’re certain they’ll do.”