Dan Moodie. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today
Three teenagers have forced their way into the New Zealand surf lifesaving team after outstanding performances at the national championships in Gisborne over the weekend.
Ironman Dan Moodie, beach sprinter Chelsea Maples and ski paddler Erin Taylor are among the new faces in a 12-strong New Zealand team
to compete at the International Surf Teams Challenge in Bondi, Sydney at the end of the year.
Maples, the 17-year-old Mount Maunganui lifeguard who won the open women's beach sprint on Friday, took bronze in a thrilling open women's board race on Sunday to underline her versatility.
New Zealand head coach John Bryant has watched Maples develop over recent years in his dual role as Mount Maunganui coach, and didn't believe she was too young.
"We've been holding her back a little bit but ... she's now ready to ... push forward," he said.
"We'll work on her flags through winter but I reckon if they're ready for it, then pick them."
Westshore's Moodie, 19, repeated his under-19 and open ironman double of last year, heading off seasoned champions such as Matt Sutton and Glenn Anderson.
Taylor finished second in the open women's ski after dominating the national kayaking championships at the beginning of March.
They're joined in the New Zealand team by new cap Kevin Morrison, who came within inches of snatching an historic board and ski race double, defending his board race title but losing the ski race to Mairangi Bay teammate Travis Mitchell.
Specialist sprinters Paul Cracroft-Wilson of Fitzroy and Midway's Rebecca Wright have also made the national team for the first time, after they won the flags title on Saturday and Cracoft-Wilson added his third beach sprint crown.
He replaces triple world champion Morgan Foster, who's buildup was affected after he went through Fire Service recruitment training at the end of last year.
Cracroft-Wilson has been training at the Northcliffe club in Australia for the last six months, alongside Australian champion Simon Harris.
Most of the New Zealand team are heading for Perth for this weekend's Australian championships on Scarborough Beach.
A 26-strong squad has been named to prepare for next year's world championships in Germany.
- NZPA
