Omanu and Papamoa surf life savers were among the medallists from the New Zealand team's first day of competition in the 2015 Sanyo Bussan International Lifesaving Cup in Japan.

A total of nine gold medals, eight silver and two bronze was the kiwi haul on day one yesterday.

Omanu's Max Beattie took two gold medals on the first day in Japan. Photo: Supplied.

Omanu's Max Beattie claimed gold in the men's board race, with Midway's Cory Taylor close behind in second. Papamoa's Ben Johnston claimed the team's first bronze in the board race.

Danielle McKenzie from Mairangi Bay claimed her first of three golds in the Women's board race with fellow team member Hannah Williams (Piha) coming fifth.

Danielle took her second gold in the women's iron with Max Beattie taking the men's title. Her third gold was in the women's board rescue.

Max Beattie and Cory Taylor took silver in the men's board rescue.

Corina Doyle added silver to the medal tally in the women's surf race, with Williams not too far behind in fifth. In the men's event, Cory Taylor took silver and both the women's and men's teams took silver in the taplin and tube rescues.

And the medals didn't end on the water. On the beach, the Kiwis took gold in both the men's and women's beach relay events.

Fitzroy's Zoe Hobbs and Mairangi Bay's Jake Hurley both won their beach sprint events while Jake added bronze in the men's beach flags and Zoe took fourth in the women's event.

New Zealand team are in first place on the points table after day one with 328. Australia is close behind in second on 325 followed by Japan Open 270, Japan Youth 239, Canada 206, Hong Kong 159, and China Taipei 51.

After what was described as a 'fantastic” first day of competition, assistant team manager Steve Vaughan says: 'I'm incredibly proud of the team.

'Now it's time to back up those great performances on day two.”

To keep up to date with the team's journey, visit the High Performance Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/slsnzhp or follow them on Twitter: @slsnzhp