Big summer for Taranaki’s competitive lifeguards

Will Johnston 

Photo: John Velvin (file)

There’s a silver lining for Taranaki’s competitive surf lifesavers while they prepare for a busy season ahead.  

After last year’s nationals was cancelled thanks to Covid-19, the off season has worked in their favour. 

Taranaki surf lifesaving club development officer Joel Meuli said the downtime will put the athletes in a better position.  

“It’s meant we have had more time to plan and train, meaning our athletes are better conditioned this year than in previous years,” he said.  

The main schedule includes five major events from regionals, Taranaki events and nationals in Christchurch to conclude the year.  

Meuli said while the Christchurch event is the biggest this season, the Eastern Regionals in Mount Maunganui is the second largest in the calendar.  

“All of our athletes across the region are desperate to rip into competitions this year.” 

Meuli said several Taranaki athletes are in the Surf Lifesaving New Zealand (SLSNZ) high performance squad including sibling duo Zac and Sasha Reid and Joe Collins from Fitzroy and Claudia Kelly, Lucy North and Josh Goble of Eash End. 

“Keep an eye out for those names.”  

Julia Padrutt, Daniel Callebaut, Sage Piebenga, Tara Shotter and Freya Stolte are also involved and have been on the podium on the national stage. 

Taranaki has a reputation nationally with many titles in team and individual events over the years. Meuli said that’s down to several factors.  

“One being the multitude of different conditions we are able to train and race in. Being on the west coast, we have days where we experience the surf and the wind, as well as the calm and the flat.”  

He said having experience in all conditions is huge as surf lifesaving sport can change so much due to racing in the ocean.  

The depth of knowledge in coaching Taranaki has across the region is another factor. 

“SLSNZ motto is ‘in it for life’ and that can be seen across the clubs with members dedicating countless hours to lifesaving and specifically lifesaving sport.”  

Upcoming events: 

Central Regionals: 7-9 January, Waimarama, Hawkes Bay 

Eastern Regionals: 28-30 January, Mount Manganui 

Taranaki Senior Championships: 5-6 February, Fitzroy Beach 

Taranaki Junior Championships: 13 February, East End Beach 

TSB SLSNZ Nationals: 10-13 March, New Brighton, Christchurch