Surf Lifesaving: World-beating lifesavers minnows in funding fight

Team captain Andy McMillan says being recognised as the world's best lifesavers is amazing. Photo / Barbara Newton

As outstanding as New Zealand's retention of its crown was at the world surf lifesaving championships in France this week, it's unlikely to significantly alter the sport's place in the country's sporting pecking order.

When New Zealand won the 2012 title in Adelaide, rather than receiving any further funding from High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ), the following year it instead lost 54 per cent of its support and its entire athlete performance enhancement grants eligibility from HPSNZ.

The sport's bosses will present their argument when the next funding round comes up in November, but without high hopes.

"HPSNZ will make no apologies for where their priorities lie," team manager Mark Weatherall said yesterday.

Weatherall is also chief executive of Canoe Racing New Zealand, and as such is familiar with the machinations of sports funding.

"We have to be realistic. Lots of people love surf lifesaving, but in the pecking order it doesn't sit up there, [even though] we are world champions and the best at what we do."

More than 40 countries competed in France so New Zealand's achievement was notable, however it's not an Olympic or Commonwealth sport.

"We'll continue to build on this [the New Zealand youth team finished second at its concurrent champs, also in the south of France, winning five golds] for sure but if athletes have aspirations to be an Olympian they'll focus on swimming or kayaking," Weatherall said.

London Olympic swimmer Andrew McMillan captained the team and has an appreciation of the difficulties for surf lifesaving getting a toehold in the public thinking, as a sport distinct from merely a pastime or community service. HPS awarded surf lifesaving $180,000 this year, $30,000 up on last year. "For us to move forward and continue this momentum, we need to get as many people exposed to this environment as we can," said McMillan.

"At the end of the day it's a New Zealand service. We protect the beaches and pools around the country and Kiwis love the water.

"It feels really good to know you're the best in the world at something that is not just a sport but a service to the nation. It's epic, mate."

New Zealand grabbed the initiative on day one and didn't relinquish its grip. Of the eight gold medals won, Olympic swimmer Samantha Lee of Wellington won two and shared a third in the 4 x 50m obstacles relay; Mairangi Bay's Danielle McKenzie won two; with Steven Kent, Wellington; Chanel Hickman, Mairangi Bay; and the men's taplin quartet the rest.

Consistency of performance was the key to New Zealand's success, says McMillan. "We didn't want to use the word 'defending'. We made a point of saying, 'it's not ours to own; it's something to go get'."

Cleaning up in the water
• New Zealand's world championship victory makes them just the second country after Australia to have retained the title.
• New Zealand won eight gold medals, 14 silver and five bronze and set three world records.
• The team of 12 athletes included four newcomers and competed in 41 disciplines over five days.