Surf Lifesaving: Collins supreme at World Champs

Story and photo by: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

New Zealand surf lifesaving star Joe Collins picked his moment to perfection when he won the Oceanman title at the world championships on the Gold Coast yesterday.

In front of a contingent of International Olympic Committee officials - who are considering including surf lifesaving at the 2032 Games in Queensland - Collins (Fitzroy) produced an incredible come-from-behind performance, edging Australia's Zach Morris on a dramatic final ski leg. 

Fellow Kiwi Cory Taylor (Midway) grabbed third as New Zealand edged ahead of the hosts going into the final day.

Morris had led for most of the race, with a strong swim followed by a dominant board paddling leg but Taranaki's Collins - who is now based on the Gold Coast - was tenacious, working with Taylor the whole way, before pouncing when Morris slewed sideways coming into the beach on his ski.

“Zach’s a class act he’s super strong in that swim-board like dropped us all credit to him,” Collins said after the race.

“He’s been working really well and hard, and I was just lucky that I got onto my ski and paddled out and cut through the waves and I got an easier line out and worked my way back into it which was pretty awesome.

“I knew I had to get some edge on the beach and worked out he slowed.”

He said the motiviation behind the win was to do it for the Black Fins. 

“We’re a great team here watching those guys bleed for us and put their heart on the sleeve, I wanted to do the same for them.”

Other highlights for New Zealand on the first day of beach competition including a double beach sprint win - Gisborne pair Briana Irving and Oska Smith dominated their finals to win female and male gold respectively, while Irving also produced a withering final sprint in the female Oceanwoman relay, passing three other teams over the final 50m.

Her relay teammates Zoe Crawford and Molly Shivnan also won gold, alongside Madi Kidd and Rae Kwan, also won gold in the women's tube rescue.