Clareburt Complements Quality Black Fins

Commonwealth Games champion Lewis Clareburt is turning his attention to surf lifesaving in a bid to bring home another international title.

The double Commonwealth Games gold medallist has been named in the New Zealand Black Fins team for the World Championships that kick off in Italy in September.

Not new to representing New Zealand in lifesaving sport, Clareburt competed at the 2017 International Surf Rescue Challenge, held at Mount Maunganui.  And he joins a host of international superstars in the Black Fins team that includes Olympians, world champions and Nutri-Grain ironmen and women.

One of those, Olympian and world champion surf lifeguard Steve Kent, believes the team can deliver the goods in Italy.

“This squad has spent countless hours preparing for worlds, we have an experienced group and that means a lot going into a world championships,” he says.

“Having an athlete like Lewis come into the team after such an amazing Commonwealth Games campaign is awesome.

“He’ll complement the team, he’s obviously incredibly talented in his own right and across the board we have great depth and knowledge.”

On top of Clareburt’s success in Birmingham, the Black Fins pool rescue team has recently given their Australian competition a warning of what’s to come with Kent, Chris Dawson, and Madi Kidd all amongst the medals and records at the Australian Pool titles.

“Success breeds success,” Kent says.

“But there’s no doubting this group of athletes has spent a lot of time gearing up for worlds."

“With Covid shutting down the world for a few years it hasn’t been easy at times to maintain focus on this competition but it’s a true testament to the resilience and dedication of this group that we are ready to go now.”

On the beach the Black Fins will have experienced campaigners like Cory Taylor, Max Beattie and Danielle McKenzie to lead the charge.

All three have several Black Fins world championship campaigns under their belt.

McKenzie finished second in the prestigious Nutri Grain iron series in Australia last summer. She also joined an elite group of Kiwi athletes when she won the open women’s ski title at the Aussie Titles.

“Having Danielle in the team is awesome,” Kent says.

“You know exactly what you’re going to get. When she lines up to race she is there to win, she will put her body on the line for the black cap and her teammates."

“You can’t ask for any more than that.”

The world championships start in Riccione, Italy on September 27.

The full Black Fins squad is:

• Steve Kent, Mairangi Bay SLSC
• Cory Taylor, Midway SLSC
• Max Beattie, Omanu SLSC
• Chris Dawson, Midway SLSC
• Lewis Clareburt, Lyall Bay SLSC
• Michael Hanna, Waikanae SLSC
• Danielle McKenzie, Mairangi Bay SLSC
• Olivia Corrin, Midway SLSC
• Madison Kidd, Whangamata SLSC
• Molly Shivnan, Omanu SLSC
• Natalie Peat, Papamoa SLSC
• Brianna Irving, Waikanae SLSC
• Reserves: Claudia Kelly, East End SLSC and Joe Collins, Fitzroy SLSC