The Black Fins have earned the right to sit alongside New Zealand's elite at the Halberg Awards, local surf life-saving identity Scott Weatherall says.
The New Zealand team successfully defended its world title in France last week. Led ably by St Clair's Andrew McMillan, the Black Fins grabbed two gold medals and a series of podium finishes on the final day of competition to secure back-to-back world titles.
Weatherall, a senior member and former club president of the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, believes their effort was a fantastic achievement and fine example of a team which has had to battle against the odds to remain on top of the world.
''We are all excited that they have had an outstanding campaign,'' Weatherall said.
''Obviously it was great to regain that world title but also the under-19 New Zealand team were placed second in the junior world cup.
''It is a huge achievement. On my Facebook status I chucked it out there that these guys need to be considered for the Halberg sports team of the year.
''I reckon that is the magnitude of their effort. Surf Life Saving New Zealand had some funding decreases in their bulk funding ... and these guys have gone to France and beat Australia.
''These guys will be training two, if not three, times a day, six or seven days a week. There would not be too many weeks of the year where they have a bit of a break.
''Effectively they are professional athletes but don't get paid for it if you know what I mean. They still have jobs and bits and pieces that they have to continue to do.''
Otago's connection to the Black Fins was not limited to the captain. McMillan was joined by Weatherall's brother, Mark, who is the team manager.
Team physiotherapist Susan Pirret is a former a member of the Brighton club, and St Clair's Andrew Trembath has performed strongly for the New Zealand youth team.
And Dunedin's Laughton sisters, Steph and Carla, also of the St Clair club, won two silver medals in the mass rescue and tube rescue events at the IRB life-saving world championships last week.
The Black Fins started the final day of competition on a high with Danielle McKenzie claiming the first of her two silver medals for the day.
Max Beattie was next to claim silver for his effort in the men's board race. McMillan kept the silver rush going with second place in the men's surf race. Chanel Hickman broke the trend with gold in the women's beach flags.
It was her first medal for the competition. Team-mate Paul Cracroft-Wilson followed up with silver in the men's beach flags, and Cory Taylor with silver in the Iron Man. Natalie Peat, Natasha Hind, McKenzie and Hickman claimed bronze in the women's ocean relay.
And Taylor, Cracroft-Wilson, Beattie and Chris Dawson combined to win gold in the men's taplin event to finish off the competition in the best possible way.
