Eastern Region lifeguarding - 2016-2017 from Dscribe Media Services on Vimeo.

Omanu Beach and Waihi Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs have each received $5000 from Zespri at the Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Awards of Excellence, along with the honour of winning the Zespri Club of the Year titles for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas, respectively.

Part of Surf Life Saving's partnership with Zespri, which was formed last year, sees the top clubs in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel awarded $5000 from Zespri to spend on lifesaving equipment.

Zespri General Manager Grower and External Relations Dave Courtney says around 85 per cent of Zespri kiwifruit is grown in the regions served by the Eastern Region surf clubs.

'Supporting these awards and providing free training for local lifeguards is our way of recognising the people who do so much for our communities, keeping our beaches safer for everyone to enjoy.”

The 2017 Zespri Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Awards of Excellence took place at Club Mount Maunganui on Saturday night, with the presentation of lifesaving, sport and regional service awards.

The evening's entertainment was provided by local performer Waylon McPherson and special guest speaker, international role model William Pike.

Surf Life Saving Clubs in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas include Trust Waikato Hot Water Beach, Trust Waikato Tairua, Trust Waikato Pauanui, Trust Waikato Onemana, Trust Waikato Whangamata, Trust Waikato Whiritoa, Trust Waikato Waihi Beach, Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, Omanu Beach, Papamoa, Maketu, Pukehina, Whakatane and Opotiki.

To allow for the recognition of more volunteers across the large area, the lifesaving awards are split between the two respective areas.

As well as Zespri Club of the Year, some of the top awards included Lifeguard of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Rescue of the Year.

Bay of Plenty Lifeguard of the Year was awarded to Danielle Shepherd from Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service.

The purpose of this award is to recognise a member who had made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of drowning prevention services for Surf Life Saving New Zealand. It is aimed at active surf lifeguards undertaking lifeguarding duties.

Danielle patrolled 45 volunteer hours over the 2016/17 season and, among numerous other duties, was one of four key people involved in refreshing all 130 Mount Maunganui lifeguards.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Manager Chris Emmett says Danielle has put a great deal of time and effort into her club.

'She is a great asset to Mount Maunganui and her community and she thoroughly deserves the title of Lifeguard of the Year,” he says.

Coromandel Lifeguard of the Year was awarded to Chaz Gibbons-Campbell from Whiritoa Surf Life Saving Club.

Chaz has volunteered 100 patrol hours over the summer season, acted as Patrol Captain, was involved in search and rescue operations and sat on the Local Lifesaving Committee among many other duties.

Chris says Chaz is always an enthusiastic patrol member who has worn numerous hats for the club.

'He always made sure patrol members were kept busy with training and development, ensuring swimmer safety and proactively helping his community such as running demonstrations around rip awareness and rescue techniques. He is a great advocate of surf lifesaving.”

Volunteer of the Year for the Bay of Plenty was awarded to Paul Treanor from Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service and to Jenny Peploe from Pauanui Surf Life Saving Club in the Coromandel.

The purpose of this award is to recognise an outstanding member who has made a significant volunteer contribution to enhancing surf lifesaving within their local area during the season.

Chris says not only has Paul and Jenny contributed greatly to their clubs but they have also had a positive influence on their communities.

Danielle, Chaz, Paul and Jenny will go on to be finalists for the national Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence which will be held in Auckland in September.

Rescue of the Year was awarded to Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty and Pauanui in the Coromandel.

Mount Maunganui's rescue took place on February 25 when, over the course of one hour, "Patrol Six" was deployed three times in a series of rescues as a rip developed. Despite the presence of warning signs, numerous swimmers were caught out and found themselves in need of rescue.

Pauanui's winning rescue took place on January 22 after the day's patrol had ended. The club received a call from the local Coastguard advising of two kayakers that had been swept out towards Shoe Island in very treacherous conditions. Lifeguards were quickly deployed in Inflatable Rescue Boats and located the kayakers, transferring them to a waiting Coastguard boat.

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service dominated the sporting side, claiming eight of the 17 sports awards.

They included Coach of the Year John Bryant, Official of the Year Greg Rieger, Under 14 Male Sportsperson of the Year Daniel Shanahan, Under 16 Male Sportsperson Lochlainn O'Connor, Under 16 Female Sportsperson Isabelle Akroyd, Under 19 Male Sportsperson Hamish Miller, Under 19 Female Sportsperson Libby Bradley and Open Male Sportsperson Adam Simpson.

The Whangamata Barrys team of Sam Stockley, Josh Kerridge, Lyndon Vickers, Brandon Dromgool and Andrew Jujunovich won Sports Team of the Year along with International Performance of the Year (team) while the individual International Performance of the Year went to Papamoa's Natalie Peat.

Chris says it was another great season for clubs in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas and tonight's awards was a great way to celebrate all that they have achieved.

Bay of Plenty lifesaving awards

Lifeguard of the Year: Danielle Shepherd, Mt Maunganui

Regional Lifeguard of the Year: Felix Cook, Mt Maunganui

Patrol Captain of the Year: Kent Jarman MNZM, Mt Maunganui

Instructor of the Year: Garry King, Mt Maunganui

Beach Ed Instructor of the Year: Dannielle O'Connor, Omanu Beach

Examiner of the Year: Danielle Shepherd, Mt Maunganui

Volunteer of the Year: Paul Treanor, Mt Maunganui

Rescue of the Year: Mt Maunganui

Patrol Club of the Year: Pukehina

Overall Club of the Year: Omanu Beach