Road to the Aussies

The countdown is on for our Senior Surf Sports team who head over to Australia on 11th April for the biggest surf lifesaving event in Australasia – The Aussies. More than 6000 competitors from Australia's 314 Surf Clubs come together to compete in 480 beach and ocean events over nine days of action.

Fifteen of our Pāpāmoa Seniors will be taking part, and we interviewed 16 year old Trelise Chote who is super excited and ready to race.

“I’m feeling well prepared about myself and the team we have going,” says Trelise. “I know it’s going to be tough racing over there, but that’s what makes it more exciting. Going over and experiencing what it’s like to race with the Aussies and showing a different country what our Pap culture can do.”

Trelise says that in the run up to the New Zealand Nationals, the team were training hard and long with some pretty big sets.

“As we get closer to The Aussies, we have been focusing on short max efforts, getting race ready. Cutting it right down to the basics and going over the small things,” she says.

Like many of the females in the squad, Trelise has some amazing female New Zealand athletes to look up to as she prepares for the event. Danielle McKenzie is a New Zealand ocean racing canoeist and competitive surf lifesaver and Trelise has an action shot of the five time New Zealand Ironwoman on her bedroom wall.

“Danielle McKenzie is a legend in herself,” says Trelise. “I wake up for swimming, and it reminds me how hard she has worked to become the athlete she is. It makes me get out of bed and push myself just like she has done. She’s competed for NZ teams and won multiple overseas medals. She is truly someone I aspire to be one day, and her success makes being a female surf athlete so exciting. Our age group has so many girls who look up to athletes like her and set goals to become successful young women that can someday share stories like hers.”

Trelise has some big goals for herself as she prepares for the trip to Australia.

“A big goal for me is to make a final in a water race,” she says. “But even to make a semi over there would make me so happy. I want to head to Australia with all the hard work and training we have put in and race my hardest, with no regrets.”

The Pāpāmoa team achieved some outstanding results at the recent New Zealand Nationals and Trelise says Seniors Coach Jake Cowdrey has built such a supportive culture, something they are all proud of.

“I’m so proud of our girls and that are always there to give it their all,” she says. “I’m proud of the whole Pāpāmoa squad and the way everyone has improved in their own way. Racing is so much more fun when we have a proud squad that’s always ready for a good time.”

Trelise has been a member of the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club for 11 years, starting as a nipper aged 5. Her recent successes include an individual Silver medal, a team Silver and two team Bronze medals at the New Zealand National Surf Lifesaving Championships. Last year she placed in the National Pool Rescue Championships. Based on these results as well her results at Eastern Regions, Trelise was asked to trial as part of a selection process for the Junior and Senior Black Fins Pool Champs team. Whilst Trelise was not named this year, it is a massive achievement to be asked to trial. 

We wish Trelise and all the Pāpāmoa Seniors the very best as they continue on their road to the Aussies.

CLICK HERE for more information on the 2024 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.