New Zealand surf lifesaving team named

Triple world beach flags champion Morgan Foster has bolted back into the New Zealand surf lifesaving team, while Piha teenager Kirsty Wannan has earned her first call-up.

They've been joined by New Zealand kayaking star Teneale Hatton (Orewa), Mount Maunganui board paddler Andrew Newton, Auckland ski paddler Travis Mitchell and South Brighton sprinter Chanel Hickman in making the national team for the first time.

They're the key features of the 12-strong team named today for the 2011 DHL International Surf Challenge in Mount Maunganui from January 31 to February 4.

Evergreen veteran Foster, who turns 35 in January and won world titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006, will link with current world flags champion Paul Cracroft-Wilson. New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett explained the pacy duo will share duties for the three-test series.

"We have a plan to rotate those two around so we can get some real dominance in the beach relays," Bartlett said. "They'll be very valuable - the beauty of those two is that you could chuck either of them in the flags and they'll both destroy it. It's one of the rare areas we have that luxury."

While Newton and Mitchell have been selected for their specialist skills, leading New Zealand ironmen Daniel Moodie and Mike Janes are expected to feature heavily across several events.

Both are outstanding surf swimmers and board paddlers, with Janes currently competing on the lucrative Kellogg's Nutrigrain Ironman series in Australia.

"He'll be race-hardened by the time we get around to the tests, which will be a huge asset to us," Bartlett said. "Dan's the current world board race champion as well and that should give us plenty of flexibility in our selections.."

Hawke's Bay's Nikki Cox and Mairangi Bay's Madison Boon spearhead the women's ranks, along with accomplished swimmer Ayla Dunlop-Barrett.

Hickman gets her chance with the unavailability of Chelsea Maples, after dominating the national trial in Mount Maunganui last week.

Glenn Anderson (resting) and Andrew McMillan (injured) were also not considered for the squad.

Teams from Australia, Japan, Great Britain, Canada and the United States have already confirmed they'll be taking part in the International Challenge, while selectors also named a 12-strong New Zealand development team to compete.

That team includes Australian-based bolter Max Beattie, who celebrates his 19th birthday later this month. Beattie won the ironman at the national trial and is a former Queensland under-17 ironman champion.

Steven Kent and Rachel Clarke, who were in the New Zealand team at October's world championships, have also made the development team, along with Gisborne-raised sisters Bailey and Kendall Elliott.

The youngest team members are 17-year-old Midway prodigy Cory Taylor and Papamoa 16-year-old Natalie Peat.

Bartlett hopes the development team, coached by Jason Pocock and Carl Newman, will put pressure on their senior counterparts.

"They'll be told to go out and beat the national team. That's really what we want to see and we want to see the national team go out and beat Australia. Looking at the athletes Australia have got at their disposal, there is no doubt they'll have a very strong team but being at home is a big help and we've got a handle on how the beach works here. We'll be there fighting them all the way."

Two surf boat crews - a senior crew and a development crew - will be added after the second round of the national surf boat series in Whangamata on January 2.

New Zealand senior team:

Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy), Morgan Foster (South Brighton), Michael Janes (Midway), Travis Mitchell (Mairangi Bay), Daniel Moodie (Westshore), Andrew Newton (Mount Maunganui), Madison Boon (Mairangi Bay), Nikki Cox (Westshore), Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (New Plymouth Old Boys), Teneale Hatton (Orewa), Chanel Hickman (South Brighton), Kirsty Wannan (Piha).

New Zealand development team:

Max Beattie (Omanu), Toby Harris (Wainui), Steven Kent (Titahi Bay), Michael Lee (Mairangi Bay), Nick Malcolm (Mairangi Bay), Cory Taylor (Midway), Rachel Clarke (Orewa), Kendall Elliott (Mount Maunganui), Bailey Elliott (Mairangi Bay), Katrina Madill (Mount Maunganui), Natalie Peat (Papamoa), Arna Wright (Mount Maunganui).