FOUR Ōpōtiki Surf Lifesaving masters have returned home from the National Pool Rescue Championships in Auckland with a heavy load of medals.

The championships were held over three days at the Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre.

For Nicola Mansel it was a particularly memorable event because she set a New Zealand record while winning gold in the women’s 30 to 34 years’ 100-metre mannequin carry with fins.

She also won gold medals in the 50m swim with fins and 100m mannequin tow with fins.

Her towing victories are more remarkable given there’s no water where she lives.

“We don’t have a pool so I do dry-land training,” she said.

“I carry a reel of farming tape, wearing gumboots, and I do yoga once a week.”

Mansel also won several silver medals.

Steve Williamson returned home with a gold medal in the men’s 40 to 49 years’ 50m swim with fins and a collection of silver and bronze medals from other events.

Mansel and Williamson were joined at the nationals by Troy Petersen and Mere Edwards, who were competing for the first time.

Petersen won two bronze medals in his 30 to 34-year age group and paired up with Williamson to win gold in the teams’ line throw.

“It was only the third time we’d done it and we’re now national champions,” Williamson said. “Troy has nailed the throw perfectly every time.”

Edwards also had a successful debut with a bunch of silver medals won in her 40 to 44-year age group.

The Ōpōtiki masters came second-equal on overall points.

Team results

Mere Edwards (debut at Nationals) 40-44 Female
50m Mannequin Carry SILVER
100m Mannequin Carry with fins SILVER
100m Mannequin Tow with fins SILVER
50m Swim with Fins SILVER

Troy Petersen (debut at Nationals) 30-34 Male
100m Mannequin Carry with fins FOURTH
100m Mannequin Tow with fins BRONZE
50m Swim with Fins BRONZE

Nicola Mansel 30-34 Female
100 Swim with obstacles SILVER
Open 200m Swim with Obstacles DQ
Open 100m Rescue Medley Mannequin Fourth
50m Mannequin Carry SILVER
100m Mannequin Carry with fins GOLD and NZ MASTERS RECORD
100m Mannequin Tow with fins GOLD
50m Swim with Fins GOLD

Steve Williamsen 45-49 Male
100 Swim with Obstacles BRONZE
50m Mannequin Carry BRONZE
100m Mannequin Carry with fins SILVER
100m Mannequin Tow with fins SILVER
50m Swim with Fins GOLD

Teams
Male 30-34 Line Throw (Steve and Troy) GOLD
Female 30-34 Line Throw (Mere and Nicola) SILVER
Mixed 120-159 4x25 Mannequin Relay GOLD
Mixed 120-159 4x50m Medley Relay GOLD
Mixed 120-159 4x50m Obstacle Relay SILVER