Midway's loss has proven Papamoa's gain with news Natalie Peat will replace the injured Devon Halligan in the New Zealand team for the Lifesaving World Championships.
The Midway Surf Life Saving Club member has been forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury, placing high-performance squad member Peat on theplane to France.
New Zealand team coach Scott Bartlett said Halligan sustained the injury four weeks ago.
She had since made great progress, but not enough to take her place in the team. "After much discussion with Devon and the team management on Saturday night, it was decided that Devon will not head to France as her injury has not improved enough," Bartlett said.
"It's obviously very disappointing for her and her teammates but it's important that we look long-term for her career and enable her time to heal properly. We are pleased to have Natalie on board and we know that she will give the competition her all."
Peat is no stranger to international competition. She was part of the New Zealand Youth team for Rescue 2012 in Adelaide and last year travelled with the New Zealand team to the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Japan.
Rescue 2014 runs from September 13-26, with the national team's competition from September 16-21.