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Tessa Bradley with Junior Black Fins wins Junior World Champs

Juliet Dunlop Fraser —

2018 was an amazing year for Katikati College's (2018) Dux Ludorum (Sportsperson of the Year), Tessa Bradley.

Her selection in the Junior Black Fins early in the year set the stage for many months of intensive training on the beach and in the pool.

After competing in the Surf Lifesaving Ocean Nationals in March in the U19 female category and earning 5 team golds, 1 team silver and 2 individual bronze (surf swim & board race), she was selected for the Black Fins. 

Further competition in the Eastern Region SLS pool champs in August and the Northern Region SLS pool champs in September gained her more recognition.

The final big event in her calendar before the Adelaide World Championships was the Surf Lifesaving NZ Pool Rescue Championships, where she performed to an outstanding level, achieving a national title Gold medal.

The World Junior and Open Lifesaving Championships were held in Adelaide in November. Along with her teammates, Tessa helped to rack up the medals securing a Gold in the Beach Relay event , a Gold in the 4x25m Manikin Relay  and 5 silvers in the 4x50m Medley Relay, 200m Obstacle Relay, the Tube Rescue, Board Rescue & Ocean Women Relay Events. One of the most astounding results was a World Record and Gold Medal in the Mixed Pool Lifesaver Relay. The Junior Black Fins also won a Gold medal for being Overall World Youth Champs, beating Aust (2nd) & France (3rd).

Congratulations Tessa, we are so proud of your success and how hard you have worked for it.