My Account
Matakana resident Jamie Peterson is in training for the Lifesaving World Championships later this year.
The 20-year-old former Mahurangi College student will head to Adelaide in November to represent Piha Surf Life Saving Club.
“This trip is about growing my international experience in the sport,” Peterson says.
“It’s one of the biggest events in the world, and Australia produces the strongest clubs in surf sports, so I will be pleased just to make the finals of any event.”
Peterson has competed previously at national championships in Great Britain and Australia.
Peterson became keen on surf sports at U16 level and has been training hard ever since.
“I got off to a bad start in Great Britain when I showed up in speedos and everyone else who knew the conditions was in a wet suit.”
Peterson trains regularly at the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, on the Gold Coast, under former pro series competitor Michael King.
But prior to the world championships he will do all of his training in New Zealand, as he is studying construction at Massey University.
He currently does around 15 hours a week, which includes kayaking, gym work, running, swimming and board work.
“About seven weeks prior to the event I will switch to a summer routine that will see me put in more hours and swimming time.”
Peterson first got involved with surf sports at the U16 level, at Omaha Beach Surf Life Saving Club, before doing four years of events with the Piha club.
He won both the board relay and board rescue in the under 19 age group at the national championships and claimed third for open swim teams.
At the Auckland champs, he won the run-swim-run race and came third in the board race open section.
His NZ coaches are both former Olympians, Steven Ferguson and Teneale Hatton.
