Unofficial World Record Caps Off Record-Breaking Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships

The Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships 2026 concluded today at Auckland's Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Centre, bringing together athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters from across New Zealand and overseas for a memorable final day of competition.

Black Fins athlete Zoe Crawford (Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club) was among the standout performers of the championships, setting a new unofficial World Record in the Open Female 100m Manikin Tow with Fins with a time of 53.14 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 54.20 set by Madison Kidd. The achievement capped an exceptional campaign for Crawford, who claimed four gold medals, two silvers and a bronze across the Open Female division.

Alongside her record-breaking swim, she also struck gold in the 200m Super Lifesaver and 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, earned silver in the 100m Rescue Medley Manikin and 50m Swim with Fins, and secured bronze in the 50m Manikin Carry. Her performances highlighted both her versatility across disciplines and the world-class standard being produced by New Zealand's leading pool rescue athletes.

While pleased with the result, Crawford was quick to acknowledge the coaches, teammates, family members and supporters who had played a role in her development, crediting them for helping her reach the highest level of the sport.

“With the weekend that has just finished I want to say thank you to Surf Lifesaving New Zealand for putting on an amazing event. Thank you to my coaches, Michael Weston, Tom Lowe, and Steve Kent for playing a huge part in my development over the past few years, and to Jason Pocock for his continued guidance.

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“Shoutout to the Mairangi Bay family who have been amazing! Also, my family and friends for coming to watch for the weekend their support means more than what I can put into words. The results from this weekend have shown me that the training is paying off, and that this is a huge step in the right direction for us, as we the New Zealand Black Fins set our sights on the world title.”

Dylan Gear (Piha Surf Life Saving Club) enjoyed an outstanding championships, securing three gold medals and two silver medals across a range of individual events in the U15 Male division. His victories came in the 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, 50m Rescue Medley Manikin and 50m Manikin Carry, while he also claimed silver in the 100m Obstacle Swim and 100m Manikin Tow with Fins. The impressive haul highlighted Gear's versatility across both speed and rescue disciplines, making him one of the standout performers of the U15 competition.

Rae Kwan (Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club) was among the top performers in the Open Female division, collecting three gold medals and a bronze medal across the championships. Kwan claimed national titles in the 200m Obstacle Swim, 100m Rescue Medley Manikin and 50m Manikin Carry, while also earning bronze in the challenging 200m Super Lifesaver event. Her strong results across multiple disciplines showcased a combination of speed, endurance and technical skill, contributing to an impressive championship campaign.

The closing day delivered more outstanding performances in the pool, with multiple New Zealand records achieved across all age groups - U15, U17, U19, Open and Masters.

The championships once again highlighted the strength of New Zealand's pool rescue athletes, from emerging junior competitors developing lifesaving skills for future patrol service through to experienced Open and Masters athletes performing at the highest level of the sport.

Club success was also recognised through two of the championships' premier honours. Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club reclaimed the Top Masters Club title after a strong showing across the masters grades, while Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club secured the Paul Kent Trophy, awarded to the club with the highest combined points tally across junior and senior competition.

For Mairangi Bay, the achievement carried added significance given the club's long-standing connection to the Kent family and their legacy within pool rescue sport. Head Coach Tom Lowe said securing the Paul Kent Trophy was a source of immense pride for the club.

“We are incredibly proud to win the Paul Kent Trophy. Given Mairangi’s connection to the Kent family, and their incredible Pool Rescue legacy, it makes it even more special.

“Winning the overall points score was not our number one focus before the event. It’s a byproduct of athletes, managers, families, officials and volunteers all doing their best and representing the club with pride. The sum of our parts being recognised as Top Overall Club is a success all Mairangi members can know they have contributed to. This weekend we were proud to celebrate participation and performance. Where performance is unique to the individual. A personal best with a well-executed race plan, or a national title, are both examples of performance at Mairangi Bay.

“I am so proud of the club, its athletes, members, officials, and supporters. It is a privilege to be a part of this group and win such a prestigious trophy.”

Surf Life Saving New Zealand National Events Manager Luke Smith says the final day provided a fitting conclusion to an outstanding championship.

"The standard of competition across the entire weekend has been exceptional. We've seen outstanding performances from athletes of all ages, with records falling, personal bests achieved and plenty of exciting racing throughout the event.

"These championships are about more than results. They're an opportunity for athletes to challenge themselves, clubs to come together, and members from around New Zealand and overseas to connect through a shared passion for surf lifesaving. We'd like to thank every competitor, coach, official, volunteer and supporter who contributed to making this such a successful event."

Surf Life Saving New Zealand General Manager Sport, Zac Franich, also acknowledged the many people who worked behind the scenes to make the championships possible.

"I'd like to extend a huge thank you to our Aon Officials and event volunteers, whose professionalism and commitment have ensured a fantastic experience for everyone involved throughout the weekend. It's also worth recognising that many of the athletes, coaches, officials and supporters who have been part of this event will soon be back on beaches around New Zealand, helping keep their communities safe throughout the patrol season. Their dedication both in competition and in service is what makes our movement so special.

"I'd also like to thank Aon for their ongoing support of Surf Life Saving New Zealand. The Aon Event Hub, barbecues and ice creams were hugely popular across the weekend and helped create a great atmosphere away from the racing, giving members the chance to connect and enjoy the wider championship experience."

The championships also provided a valuable platform for Aon to engage with members about the Aon Club Referral Scheme, with strong interest shown throughout the weekend. Many members took the opportunity to learn how referrals to Aon's services can help generate additional funding for their local clubs, highlighting the ongoing commitment of surf lifesavers to supporting and strengthening their communities both in and out of competition.

As the 2026 Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships draw to a close, attention will soon turn to the international stage, with many of New Zealand’s top pool rescue athletes setting their sights on the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Scheduled for late November through December 2026, the championships will bring together the world’s best lifesavers to compete across pool and beach disciplines, providing an opportunity for athletes to test themselves against the highest level of international competition. For New Zealand’s high-performance competitors, the event represents the pinnacle of the sport and a chance to showcase their talents on the global stage.

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