Young Lifesaving Talent Shines at 2026 NZ Youth Performance Camps in Queensland

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has successfully wrapped up the 2026 NZ Youth Performance Camps, with a group of the country's most promising young athletes returning from a two-week campaign in Queensland, Australia. Building on the inaugural 2025 camp, this initiative was created to reinforce the high-performance pathway and to support young athletes as they transition into senior performance environments.

The multifaceted camp challenged athletes across the pool, ocean, and beach. Alongside coaches, senior athlete leaders, and managers, the youth squad adapted to changing conditions, committed to long days, and leaned into a high-performance mindset with maturity, resilience, and a genuine desire to learn and grow.

SLSNZ High Performance Manager Holly Fletcher noted that the primary focus was on technique, skill development, and coachability rather than just racing.

"In a week of some pretty long technical sessions, the idea was to just go out and try something super new," Fletcher explained. "We weren't there to just perform, with PBs being an added bonus, it was about being open to trying new techniques and giving something a shot. Then putting it into practice and seeing what happens in a race."

Despite this focus on development, the squad still secured impressive medal results.

The two-week camp was split into distinct phases. During the first week in Bundaberg, athletes focused on long technical sessions, learning new techniques, and applying them in big racing environments, while also enjoying a bit of downtime to visit the beach and see kangaroos. The squad then relocated to the Gold Coast for the second week, basing themselves out of Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club for a highly intensive physical camp. Supported by four coaches and three managers, a group of the top Ocean and Beach age-group athletes spent the week honing their skills. This phase featured double and triple daily sessions in the ocean and on the beach, culminating in competitive internal squad racing. A major highlight of the campaign was the rare opportunity for youth athletes to integrate with elite competitors. The squad was able to interact directly with the Black Fins in Bundaberg and Ocean Beach athletes on the Gold Coast, who generously shared their experiences and career insights.

This mentorship was crucial in helping the athletes understand the complexities of the World Championships for the junior ranks. By engaging with elite athletes, the camp provided a high-performance environment that equalised opportunities, particularly for those from smaller clubs in the South Island who may lack access to large club infrastructure or year-round surf lifesaving coaching.

Beyond the surf, the camp fostered significant holistic and community growth. For several athletes, this development camp marked their very first time travelling overseas. Breaking athletes out of their usual routines allowed them to experience new coaching styles and build nationwide friendships that they will carry forward throughout the season.

SLSNZ extends a huge thank you to Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club for hosting the squad. We are incredibly proud of what this group achieved and excited to see where this momentum takes them over the upcoming season.