The Bay of Plenty’s top surf lifeguards were honoured on Saturday night during the region’s annual Awards of Excellence celebrations.
The awards which included Lifeguarding, Surf Sports, Coaching and Volunteer categories were all hotly contested - with the Bay of Plenty producing surf lifesaving stars on both the New Zealand and international stage.
Local beach sprint star Chelsea Maples took home both Open Female Competitor of the Year and International Competitor of the Year having claimed two Australian beach titles and numerous national titles throughout the season.
Another impressive win came from Te Puke schoolgirl Natalie Peat taking home the U16 Female title after dominating regional and national U16 events and making her way into the New Zealand Development Squad as the youngest athlete.
On the team front the Bay of Plenty U14, U16 and U19 Representative teams were honoured for respective gold’s in each of their provincial competitions.
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Pauanui - Bay of Plenty Rescue of the Year winners
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Pauanui lifeguards received the Fulton Hogan Rescue of the Year Award for their outstanding teamwork and skill which saw thirteen people rescued from the treacherous Pauanui bar after their vessel was upturned. All patients were successfully stabilised by the patrol team with six patients transported to Thames Hospital with various injuries.
Tasman Trespasser extraordinaire Shaun Quincey had the unwavering attention of guests as he spoke of the triumphs and tribulations during his gruelling 54 days on sea and how his positive attitude allowed him to break through the incomprehensible challenges including capsizing, breaking his water maker and sheer frustrations.
Two more special guests that spoke-junior surf members Liam and Emily-told the crowd how their involvement with the surf club during the tsunami earlier this year spurred on a major project for them to help the young children in Samoa rebuild a school. The humble 8 year olds impressed everyone with their outstanding achievement in raising $93,000 which they will present when they head over to Samoa in September.
Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year went to Shaun Smith from Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club-a lifeguard of 34 years who in the last season alone was the Director of Lifeguarding, coordinated lifeguard refreshers, instructed various community groups about water and beach safety, was a member of the callout squad, and gained his Advanced Lifeguard Award. Thanks to Wai Ora Resort & Spa Shaun also received a nights accommodation, breakfast and Hells Gate Ultimate Mud Package.
Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club took home the prestigious regional Club of the Year trophy following consistent successes in Junior and Senior events as well as an impressive record in the recruitment and retention of their volunteer lifeguards.
Last season Bay of Plenty Surf Lifeguards provided over 47,000 hours of patrols, performed 309 rescues, administered 626 first aids and conducted 65 searches. They also performed 21,787 preventative actions involving 109,168 people.
Major Award Winners
- U14 Female Competitor of the Year-Jessica Miller (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
- U14 Male Competitor of the Year- Ben Cochrane (Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club)
- U16 Female Competitor of the Year- Natalie Peat (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
- U16 Male Competitor of the Year- Daniel Kayes, (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
- U19 Female Competitor of the Year- Katrina Madill (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
- U19 Male Competitor of the Year- Jamie Banhidi (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
- Open Female Competitor of the Year- Chelsea Maples (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
- Open Male Competitor of the Year- Andrew Newton (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
- International Competitor of the Year- Chelsea Maples (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service)
- Team of the Year- Mt Maunganui Open Women’s Beach Relay Team (Tamsyn McGarva, Arna Wright, Holly Moczydlowski, Chelsea Maples)
- Coach of the Year- Kurt Wilson (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
- Surf Official of the Year-Ross Edwards (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
- Regional Lifeguard of the Year-Shaun Smith (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
- Instructor / Examiner of the Year-Ailsa Cowdrey (Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club)
- Volunteer of the Year- Donal Boyle (Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club)
- Club of the Year-Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club
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