NZ records set at Eastern Region Pool Rescue Championships

Three New Zealand Records were set at the recent Eastern Region Pool Rescue Champs at the new Kiwa Pools 50-metre complex in Gisborne Tairāwhiti.

14-year-old Celia Willoughby from Midway SLSC recorded the fastest swim in two events in the FINA certified pool. Setting a New Zealand record in the Under15 Female 50m Rescue Medley Manikin (42.52 seconds) and the 50m Manikin Carry (39.38 seconds). In a super strong and competitive field five Under15 Female swimmers went under the NZ Record in the 50m Manikin Carry.

Male Masters Swimmer from Papamoa SLSC, Richard Williams, continues to get faster each time he swims breaking his own record in the Masters Male 50m Swim with Fins, which he rebroke at the Australian Pool Rescue Championships on the Gold Coast earlier in August. 

With 230 swimmers from across the Eastern Region and visiting clubs the 2024 Championships was the largest event in 5 years. The sport of Pool Rescue has been on an upturn with the investment in time, development, and skills from coaches, athletes, and officials. Following the success of local Pool Rescue development opportunities the skill and technical execution of the swimmers was outstanding. 13 clubs were represented across the two full days of competition.

It was awesome to have members of the New Zealand Black Fins, Chris Dawson, and Youth Black Fins, Sophie Petro and Yahni Brown, competing and showcasing their skills prior to representing New Zealand at the Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast.

Completed in September 2023, Kiwa Pools is a 50-metre multipurpose complex that was the benefactor of the project being funded under the Crown Infrastructure Partners “Shovel Ready” Program.

The complex is a legacy to the area and is a celebration of the people, culture, and environment of Tairāwhiti with special links to past, present and future through the story telling of the carvings as you enter the facility and is evident throughout the complex. Sir Derek Lardelli, of Lardelli Arts was involved throughout the design process, to ensure Te Ao Māori principles and values from the region were deeply integrated in the design of the building. The triangular features of the building represent the woven pattern of sails of the Waka that brought tangata whenua to the area many centuries ago. Alongside traditional artwork such as the carved taniwha ceiling feature and building structural details another example of how Te Ao Māori design principles were integrated is that the plant room has glass windows as its walls, so that the public can observe the manawa (heart) of the facility in this place of learning.

Huge thanks to all who helped deliver the event in officiating, water set up and our local business who supported the 2024 Eastern Region Pool Rescue Championships, PAKnSAVE Gisborne, Martin’s Party Hire Centre, Comet Swimming, Swimming BOP, and our local Surf Lifesaving Community from Wainui, Waikanae and Midway Surf Lifesaving Clubs. Thanks also to Keepa Digital for capturing awesome photos and video of the event.

We look forward to hosting many more Surf Lifesaving events at Kiwa Pools.

Photo credit: Keepa Digital