The Lifesaving World Cup is now back in New Zealand after the Black Fins successfully defended their title at the 2016 Lifesaving World Championships in The Netherlands.

The cup, along with the Top Pool Cup and Ocean Cup, was escorted back to New Zealand by Black Fins Captain Andy McMillan and manager Mark Weatherall, who were joined by the Junior Black Fins which also returned home with their second place trophy this morning.

The World Champion Black Fins. Photo: SLSNZ

The Black Fins created history at the world championships, which wrapped up last Saturday (NZ Time), by being the first Kiwi surf lifesaving team to win three consecutive world championship titles.

Included in the 12 team are four local surf lifesavers Natalie Peat of Papamoa, Max Beattie and Devon Halligan both of Omanu, and Olivia Eaton of Mount Maunganui.

The team picked up another eight medals on the final day of competition in the Netherlands to clinch the title.

With five days of competition split across the pool and the beach, the Lifesaving World Championships is the largest international lifesaving sport competition in the world. All the events are based around rescue capability and specific to saving people's lives.

Traditionally stronger in the beach events, it's also the first time the Kiwis, or any team, have won the title of top team in the pool events and top team in the beach events as well as the overall world title.

The Black Fins finished with 881 points ahead of Australia on 792 points with France in third on 599 points to hold on to the Alan B. Whelpton, AO Trophy.

"We've been dreaming of this day and taking it one step at a time,” says captain Andy McMillan. 'We've had this core belief in our ability to do it and we've never stopped believing.”

The team started off the final day of competition on a high with Mount Maunganui's Olivia Eaton taking silver in the women's Beach Flags to add to her gold in the women's beach sprints.

Then Omanu's Max Beattie won the first of three golds for the day in the men's Board Race.

Team manager Mark Weatherall says the Black Fins showed massive heart and belief. 'I am very proud.”

The Black Fins first prised the biennial world championship off Australia in 2012 and again in 2014 off France.

The Youth team, the Junior Black Fins, had a successful day in the pool in Eindhoven on their final day of competition, which saw then finish second overall on 735 points behind Australia on 926 and Italy third on 546.