Oar Blacks announced ahead of Trans-Tasman battle

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is pleased to announce the four crews that have been selected to represent New Zealand at the annual Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge, held this year at Waihi Beach in February.

The four crews, all from Titahi Bay in Wellington, will go head-to-head against Australia in a series of surf boat races on February 9.

Held over one-day of high adrenalin racing, the race format sees both the male and female crews, dubbed the Oar Blacks, competing in two long course races along with one short course race for the best of a three race series deciding the winner. 

The Under-23 Development crews have the same three race series format to decide the Under-23 Trans-Tasman Challenge winners alongside the Oar Blacks.

SLSNZ Sport Manager, Mike Lord, said he’s excited to see this team compete against Australia.

“Firstly, we’d like to extend our congratulations to the crews who have been selected. We know you will do us proud against the Australian teams and wish you the best of luck.

“However, surf boat racing in New Zealand is in fantastic shape as the quality of the crews who were eligible for selection was very high. There are so many other great surf boat crews out there, which makes us really excited for the future,” added Mr Lord.

Mr Lord also wanted to thank the selectors on behalf of SLSNZ for their work in selecting the surf boat crews this year.

The crews chosen to represent New Zealand are:

New Zealand Oar Blacks Men’s Crew:

Titahi Bay SLSC

• Kyle Lang
• Brett Hamer
• Chris Middleton
• Martyn McDowell
• Wil McDowell (Sweep)

New Zealand Oar Blacks Women’s Crew:

Titahi Bay SLSC

• Georgia McLaren
• Tracey Mills
• Kathryn Kinvig
• Angie Keen
• Wil McDowell (Sweep)

New Zealand U23 Men’s Development Crew:

Titahi Bay SLSC

• Fraser McLaren
• Callum Watts-Pointer
• Adam Stella
• Darryn Stapleton
• Tim Marsden (Sweep)

New Zealand U23 Women’s Development Crew:

Titahi Bay SLSC

• Maya Stillwell
• Luisa Stillwell
• Bernice Holford
• Moira MacDonald
• Tim Marsden (Sweep)

We wish them all the best in their bid to win the 2019 Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge and look forward to following their build up to the event and performance at Waihi in February.

To keep up-to-date with their journey, visit the SLSNZ High Performance Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and Instagram - @SLSNZHP.

For more information, please contact:

Alana McIsaac, Media & Communications Manager
Phone 027 515 7157
Email media@surflifesaving.org.nz