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Masters of Manikins and Medleys

Tuesday 30 October 2012, 1:57PM

By Surf Life Saving New Zealand

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Ever wondered just what it takes to drag a wet body out of the water to safety? The Lifesaving World Championships is where you’ll see the best in the world compete at doing just that.

Recue 2012, or the Lifesaving World Championships, includes competitors from around 40 nations competing in 10 separate disciplines like simulated emergency rescues, beach sprints, surf boats and Ironman.

Each event is based on skills used during a real rescue and is a sport that essentially trains Surf Life Saving athletes to save lives according to Surf Life Saving New Zealand CEO, Paul Dalton.

“Sprinting across the sand, carrying a 70kg manikin and racing in a surf ski, are all comparable to a real life saving situation and showcase the key skills that are needed to be a lifeguard,” said Mr Dalton.

Rescue 2012 is being held in Adelaide, South Australia, from November 7-18 with events being held across three venues including Glenelg and Christies beaches and the state-of-the-art South Australian State Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

New Zealand has two teams competing- the open NZ Team (which includes Olympians Steve Kent, Steven Ferguson, Andrew McMillan and Natasha Hind) and the Under 20’s who will compete in the inaugural Under 20 World Championships to be held at Rescue 2012. There are six females and six females in each team.

To celebrate Rescue 2012 and Team NZ, Surf Life Saving New Zealand partner Sonic NZ has generously provided a unique (signed) board which is being auctioned on Trade Me to raise money for Surf Life Saving.

Visit http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=524925449 for more information about the auction or follow the team at www.facebook.com/slsnzhp or http://sport.surflifesaving.org.nz/rescue2012.

 

New Zealand Team

Max Beattie                     Omanu

Nikki Cox                         Westshore

Paul Cracroft-Wilson     Fitzroy

Steven Ferguson           Piha

Devon Halligan             Midway

Chanel Hickman           Mairangi Bay

Natasha Hind                Lyall Bay

Steven Kent                  Titahi Bay

Samantha Lee             Lyall Bay

Andy McMillan             St Clair

Kevin Morrison            Mairangi Bay

Laura Quilter               Wainui

 

New Zealand Under 20 Team

Chris Dawson             Midway

Carina Doyle               St Clair

Toby Harris                  Wainui

Emily Hodges             Piha

Ben Johnston             Papamoa

Danielle McKenzie   Mairangi Bay

Dannielle O'Connor  Omanu

Natalie Peat               Papamoa

Ben Quilter                Wainui

Karina Radley          Mount Maunganui

Sam Shergold          Mount Maunganui

Cory Taylor              Midway

 

Visit http://sport.surflifesaving.org.nz/ for more information.

 

Additional Information: World Champs for Dummies

 

There are a range of reasons why the Lifesaving World Championships (Rescue 2012) is the blockbuster event for lifeguards around the world. With between four and six thousand competitors expected to take part this year, it is the largest international lifesaving sport competition in the world.

Recue 2012 includes five separate competitions - World National Team Championships, World Interclub Championships, World Masters Championships, World Surf Boat Championships, and World Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships.

Athletes can compete in ten separate disciplines - swimming, simulated emergency rescue, Ironman / Ironwoman, surf-ski, board, beach sprints, beach flags, surf boats and IRB.

The Lifesaving World Championships are held every two years and attract competitors from over 40 nations. New Zealand has won the event once in 1998. Over the last three biannual events New Zealand has continued to close the gap with the world champion Australian team, losing by a heart breaking margin two years ago.

The New Zealand Team depart New Zealand on November 2 and return on November 12. More than half of the team will stay on and complete for their clubs at the Club World Championships.

The New Zealand Under 20 Team departs New Zealand on November 4 and will return on November 12.