Three World Record Holders to Represent New Zealand at The World Games

Three of New Zealand’s finest lifesaving athletes have been selected to compete at The World Games this August – one of the largest and most prestigious non-Olympic international multi-sport events. Pool Rescue is the only lifesaving discipline contested at The World Games, and qualification standards are extremely high. 

Representing the New Zealand World Games Team are Zoe Crawford, Madison Kidd, and Fergus Eadie – all of whom are current or have been recent world record holders in their disciplines. The trio earned their places through the International Lifesaving Federation selection process and are set to compete against the world’s best on a global stage. 

Leading the small team is Black Fins Campaign Lead Steve Kent, a three-time World Champion Black Fin, 2012 Olympian, and seasoned leader of the New Zealand lifesaving team. Steve has competed in seven world championship campaigns and coached the Black Fins to international success as Campaign Manager. The team will travel to Hong Kong for a pre-competition camp, departing New Zealand on 31 July. 

Also accompanying the team is Johnny Clough, who travels as an official under a High Performance Sport New Zealand Prime Minister’s Scholarship, continuing his pathway toward becoming an international Level 3 lifesaving official. 

Meet the Athletes 

Zoe Crawford

 A full-time Sport and Recreation student at AUT, Zoe trains with Coast Swim Club alongside her teammates. Originally from Mairangi Bay, she transitioned from hockey and surf lifesaving into elite pool rescue swimming. Zoe broke the junior 100m manikin tow world record in 2023 and went on to win a senior World Championship title in the same event in 2024 – breaking the senior world record in the process. Known for her fierce competitiveness and team spirit, Zoe thrives in high-pressure racing environments and brings energy and determination to the Black Fins. 

Madison Kidd  

Madison began surf lifesaving at age 7 in Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club, where she remains a club member, while also racing for Northcliffe in Australia. A world record holder in the 100m Tow (which she broke three times in 2024), Madison has also twice claimed silver in the event at the Lifesaving World Championships. First attending The World Games in 2017, she returns this year more experienced than ever.  

Fergus Eadie  

A graduate of Massey University with a BA in History and Security Studies, Fergus now works full-time at Pacific Channel in Auckland. He began his lifesaving journey at Muriwai and currently races for Mairangi Bay under coach Tom Lowe. Fergus made his Black Fins debut at the 2022 Lifesaving World Championships, winning bronze and gold across multiple events. In 2024, he broke two world records and earned gold in both the 100m and 50m Carry events. Now set for his first World Games, Fergus brings speed, strength, and strategic execution to the team. 

This campaign is not only about medals – it’s about continuing New Zealand’s legacy in lifesaving sport and developing athletes who embody the values of excellence, resilience, and teamwork. 

We wish Zoe, Madison, Fergus, Steve, and Johnny all the best as they represent Aotearoa on the world stage.