Top Tauranga lifesavers are pushing hard to be amongst the New Zealand squad preparing to defend its world championship title at Rescue 2014.

Rescue 2014, or the biannual Lifesaving World Championships, begins in three months in the south of France from September 13-26, with the national team's competition beginning on September 16.

Omanu's Max Beattie is in the running to represent New Zealand at Rescue 2014. Photo: Jamie Troughton - Dscribe Media.

It is here that the New Zealand Open Team, or the Black Fins, will be defending its title of world champions – a title prised from Australia two years ago in Adelaide at Rescue 2012.

Amongst the 23 lifesavers named in the extended squad are Omanu's Max Beattie, Olivia Eaton and Andrew Newton from Mount Maunganui and Kodi Harman, Papamoa.

New Zealand is sending two teams to compete and has already named its Youth Team with Maia Bryant and Ben Johnston, Papamoa, and Omanu's Ben Cochrane making the cut.

The New Zealand Open Team of 12 – six men and six women – will be named following a squad camp next month.

The week long camp will be held in Australia from July 5 with all the squad taking part, except for Laura Quilter, Samantha Lee and Steven Kent who will be away representing New Zealand in swimming at the Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand Team Manager Mark Weatherall says this squad camp is the next big step in the preparation for selecting the final team.

"With only 90 days to go until the start of the event, the intensity is really starting to rise,” says Weatherall.

'And, with a number of countries like Australia, France and Canada having now named their teams, the spotlight is sure to turn on the NZ selectors as they prepare to name the NZ team to take on the world in France.”

The New Zealand Youth team will have their first team camp in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Pool Champs held in Hamilton from July 26-27.

Weatherall says plans are also underway to conduct two team camps following the naming of the New Zealand Open Team.

"Final preparations are well underway and are now awaiting the final step; who will be representing New Zealand?”

New Zealand Open Squad:

Max Beattie - Omanu
Rachel Clarke - Red Beach
Paul Cracroft-Wilson - Fitzroy
Chris Dawson - Midway
Corina Doyle - St Clair
Olivia Eaton - Mt Maunganui
Steven Ferguson - Piha
Murdoch Finch - Riversdale Beach
Devon Halligan - Midway
Kodi Harman - Papamoa
Teneale Hatton - Piha
Chanel Hickman - Mairangi Bay
Steven Kent - Titahi Bay
Samantha Lee - Lyall Bay
Nick Malcolm - Mairangi Bay
Danielle McKenzie - Mairangi Bay
Andy McMillan* - St Clair
Chris Moors - Red Beach
Kevin Morrison - Mairangi Bay
Andrew Newton - Mt Maunganui
Natalie Peat - Papamoa
Laura Quilter - Wainui
Cory Taylor - Midway

*Subject to testing

New Zealand Youth Team:

Kelsi Boocock - Red Beach
Maia Bryant - Papamoa
Ben Cochrane - Omanu
Olivia Eaton - Mt Maunganui
Jacob Hales - Papamoa
Jake Hurley - Mairangi Bay
Ben Johnston - Papamoa
Matthew Scott - Midway
Jasmine Smith - Wainui
Andrew Trembath - St Clair
Brittany Tucker - Sumner
Hannah Williams - Red Beach