SLSNZ Sport

📣 SLSNZ Sport Update | June 2026

A busy off-season means plenty happening behind the scenes!

From new working groups and competition updates, to Pool Rescue kicking off this weekend and over 40 youth athletes preparing for performance camps in Queensland, there's plenty to look forward to.

We're also excited to welcome Cole Drinnan and Holly Fletcher into their new sport leadership roles, while planning is already underway for the 2026/27 season.

Stay up to date with the latest sport news, event updates, development opportunities and High Performance pathways via the full Sport Update.

Read the full update 👇️
https://bit.ly/43MPJh3

🏊‍♀️🚨 The 2026 Pool Rescue Competition Calendar is here! 🚨🏊‍♂️

Get ready for an action-packed season with 15 Pool Rescue competitions taking place across New Zealand. Whether you're aiming for national honours, building race experience, or supporting your club, there's an event for everyone.

Check out the full calendar, mark your dates, and start planning your season now!
Link in our BIO

Pool Rescue Officials Online Training Session 🤳,

Weather you are a seasoned pool rescue event Official or interested in supporting our many pool rescue competitions kicking off soon, we would love to see you all online next Tuesday, 9th June, 7.00pm.

Come and learn, share your insights and knowledge and catch up with friends.

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/4627061831972?p=53V9PR2z40CRNpe9CF

Training Overview:
1. Purpose of Pool Rescue
2. Pool Events Officials Structure
3. How the teams operate on each side of the pool, key processes
4. DQ notifications
5. Officials roles and placements
6. Overview on pool judging for events

Training Facilitators: Johnny Clough, Jo Miller and Mike Lord

Swipe through 👉 four ways you can help shape the future of Lifesaving Sport in Aotearoa.⁠
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From IRB Racing and Surf Canoes working groups, to officials at the 2026 Aon Pool Rescue, and Leadership roles for the 2027 National Events, we're calling on our incredible volunteer community to step up.⁠
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If you've got the passion, we've got the role for you.⁠
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📅 Expressions of Interest close Friday 29 May⁠
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Full details & how to apply at:
https://bit.ly/4f4LTH3
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The road to Worlds starts now. 🌍🏆

The wider 2026 Black Fins and Junior Black Fins squads have been named for the Lifesaving World Championships in Port Elizabeth this December.

Athletes from clubs across Aotearoa have earned their place in the campaign squad, but selection is far from over. With only 12 spots available in each final team, the next two months will be critical as athletes push to secure their place on the plane to South Africa.

The Lifesaving World Championships demand more than individual speed. Athletes must perform across beach, ocean, and pool events, combining versatility, resilience, and the ability to deliver under pressure across four intense days of racing.

Every training session, every race, and every performance opportunity from here matters. Our athletes have one goal - to earn the black cap and represent New Zealand on the world stage.

Congratulations to all athletes named in the 2026 campaign squads.

Congratulations to the Oar Blacks open women's crew who won their category at the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Series. 🏆

Jasmine Break, Danielle Ford, Courtney Matthews, and Polly Wenlock, with sweep Tom Jacka, came up against the Collaroy Giants in a best-of-three showdown. After dropping race one, the Red Beach Bullets clawed back a nail-biting win in race two, then powered past the Aussies in the decider to seal it.

They backed it up the next day with silver at the ASRL Open, one of the biggest surf boat competitions in the Southern Hemisphere.

A massive effort from a crew that's been putting in the work all season. 🇳🇿

Read the full story.
https://bit.ly/4dHvRlL