Lifesavers confident of success

A fresh-faced New Zealand surf lifesaving team has arrived in in Taiwan for the World Games, confident of another podium finish.

The 12-strong team which includes Glenn Anderson and Ayla Dunlop-Barrett from New Plymouth Old Boys arrived to stifling 38 degrees Celsius heat, with the lifesaving component of the games beginning on Friday.

Eight members of the team will be making their debut at this level, although New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett is confident his troops will handle the pressure.

"There's an interesting mix and we're blooding a few of these athletes with an eye for the future," Bartlett said. "Their enthusiasm has been outstanding and the amount of work they've put in over the last three months has been very impressive."

New Zealand finished runner-up to Australia at last year's world championships in Germany.

The event has a three-day lifesaving component with two days in the pool and the final day at Taiwan's Kaohsiung Beach.

NEW ZEALAND: Glenn Anderson (New Plymouth Old Boys), Daniel Moodie (Westshore), Steven Kent (Titahi Bay), John Gatfield (Titahi Bay), Mike Janes (Midway), Matt Sutton (Midway), Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (New Plymouth Old Boys), Madison Boon (Midway), Nikki Cox (Westshore), Samantha Lee (Lyall Bay), Jess Parr (Muriwai), Georgia Hind (Lyall Bay).