Mount lifeguard honoured at awards

Mount Maunganui lifeguard Greg Rieger has been named TSB Bank Surf Official of the Year. File photo.

Mount Maunganui's Greg Rieger has been named TSB Bank Surf Official of the Year at last night's Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence.

He officiated at 18 local, regional, national and international events last season, including the New Zealand Pool Championships, Oceans '17, TSB Bank New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships and the World Masters Games.

He is held in high regard by fellow officials and competitors for his knowledge and application of the rules and the friendly manner in which he carries out his duties.

Greg was among several Surf Life Saving New Zealand members whose contributions were recognized at the annual awards on September 23.

Club members from around the country gathered at the Heritage Hotel in Auckland for the presentation of lifesaving, sport and service awards.

Placing a strong emphasis on lifeguard development and growing the capabilities of his fellow club members earnt Levin-Waitarere's Nathan Berry the title of Lifeguard of the Year.

The NZ Lottery Grants Board Lifeguard of the Year award is the pinnacle of surf lifesaving in New Zealand and highlights the skill, experience and dedication of the lifeguards who give up their time to make our beaches safer.

The 27 year-old took on numerous roles over the summer season including Club Captain, Patrol Captain and acting as a mentor for developing Patrol Captains. He was an IRB Driver, part of the callout squad and assisted with the delivery and examination of the Surf Lifeguard Award and IRB programme.

DHL Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Kate Suter from Sumner Surf Life Saving Club, while BP Rescue of the Year was awarded to Far North Surf Rescue, who saved two trapped divers west of Tapotupotu on March 9.

2017 Award Winners

DHL Volunteer of the Year: Kate Suter, Sumner

NZLBG Lifeguard of the Year: Nathan Berry, Levin-Waitarere

BP Rescue of the Year: Far North Surf Rescue- March 2017

DHL Innovation of the Year: Muriwai- Drone Project

BP Media Story of the Year: 1 News- 'Water safety goes hi-tech”

TSB Bank Official of the Year: Greg Rieger, Mt Maunganui

TSB Bank Surf Coach of the Year: Matt Sutton, Midway

TSB Bank International Performance of the Year: New Zealand Black Fins

DHL Instructor of the Year: Todd Velvin, Fitzroy

London Trophy 2016/17 Season: Waimairi

Gudsell Trophy 2016/17 Season: Mairangi Bay

Service Awards

Jason Broome, Waimarama

Michael Buck, Mairangi Bay

Terrence Burbidge, Mairangi Bay

Aidan Charman, Westshore

Wendy Clough, Fitzroy

Kevin Cornish, Red Beach

Shane Edwards, Sunset Beach

Warren Edwards, Sunset Beach

Neil Galland, Westshore

Jacquelyn Grant, Mairangi Bay

Brendan Hamilton-Gibbs, Waimarama

Joanne Hobson, Sunset Beach

Emma Hubbard, Pacific

Darren James, Fitzroy

Reece Kennedy, Ocean Beach Kiwi

Benny Larsen, Orewa

Michael Lawrence, Kariaotahi

Colleen Murphy, Red Beach

Brent Phillips, Sunset Beach

Jason Pocock, Mairangi Bay

Paul Treanor, Mt Maunganui

Distinguished Service Awards

Michael Bassett-Foss, Waimarama

Brad O'Leary, Nelson

Faron Turner, Orewa

Todd Velvin, Fitzroy

Life Membership Awards

Stephen Johnson QSM, Waimairi

Brett Leask, Waimairi

50 Year Badges

Terry Christie, Worser Bay

Alan Coates, Mt Maunganui

John Dallimore, Piha

Don Dalton, North Beach

Rex Dalton, North Beach

Bryan Faulknor, Ocean Beach Kiwi

Ian Ferguson MBE, Palmerston North

Robin Foubister, Muriwai

David Gerrard, St Clair

Michael Gibbs, Opunake

Paul Goosey, North Beach

Ian Greenwood, Worser Bay

Neil Greenwood, Worser Bay

Patricia Lovell (nee Mooney), Worser Bay

Colin Luke, Palmerston North

Trevor Miles, Westshore

Graeme Newton, St Clair

Larry Rountree, Piha

Gregory Samson, North Beach

Allan Seagar, Piha

Kevin Shute, Palmerston North

Kelvin Williams, St Clair

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