Dedicated volunteer Surf Lifeguards, coaches, instructors, and athletes have been celebrated at Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Awards of Excellence.

The awards, which took place at Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club on the weekend, honour the volunteers who have devoted numerous hours to keeping our beaches and people safe and Lifesaving Sport athletes who have shone in competition.

'I'd like to thank all our dedicated volunteers who have given their time and energy to keep people safe at Bay of Plenty and Coromandel beaches this year,” says Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region manager Avan Polo.

'Clubs in the region did a fantastic job keeping patrols going under the challenging conditions and changing restrictions that Covid-19 presented.”

Over the 2021-22 season, Lifeguards put in over 50,000 patrol hours across Bay of Plenty and Coromandel beaches.

There were 162 rescues undertaken, 412 people were assisted back to shore and eight searches were carried out.

A total of 588 people were given first aid treatment by Lifeguards and 26,498 preventative actions were implemented to keep beachgoers out of trouble.

Boyd Harris.

The Bay of Plenty Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year winner is Boyd Harris from Pukehina Surf Rescue.

Boyd was an exemplary Volunteer Lifeguard this season, engaging with his team regularly and effectively.

'He led by example and took part in all aspects of patrol,” says a statement from SLNZ.

'Boyd has a fantastic ability to interact very well with the public, he is always friendly and approachable and provides clear and correct information on where to swim and what areas to avoid.

'Boyd is involved in many aspects of the club from running club refreshers to sitting on the board as the Chairperson.”

In addition to his club roles, Boyd is very active in the regional space, involved in IRB activity and local lifesaving committees as well as volunteering as the Chief Surf Lifeguard Award Examiner.

'Boyd has contributed extensively to Surf Lifesaving, upskilling himself as well as travelling around the country representing Pukehina and helping smaller clubs along the way,” says Eastern Region Lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell.

'He is extremely passionate about Surf Lifesaving and it is great to see him recognised.”

Dominic Sutton.

Dominic Sutton from Whangamata Surf Lifesaving Club receives the accolade of Coromandel Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year.

Dominic contributed over 100 hours patrolling to Whangamata as well as further patrols at Raglan and Northern Coromandel beaches. As a senior patrol member Dominic was able to, and willingly, provided extensive support to patrol operations - this included IRB training opportunities, First Aid Scenarios and Lifeguard mentoring. Off the beach, Dominic is actively involved on local and regional committees, taking part in and facilitating regional events and is passionate about Lifeguard development.

'Dominic leads by example and is always looking for ways to increase member engagement and retention,” says Chaz.

'He is a great lifeguard, carrying out his duties to a high standard.”

Part of this year's major awards also covers all aspects of Surf Lifesaving Sport to celebrate the Officials, Coaches and High-Performance athletes.

'Unfortunately for our Surf Sport Athletes the pinnacle events of the season, Eastern Region Championships for Senior and Juniors and the SLSNZ Nationals were cancelled,” says Eastern Region Sport manager Sonia Keepa.

'However, the Eastern Region was able to adapt and deliver a few modified events under the developing Covid Protection Framework. The perseverance and adaptability of our Lifeguarding athletes, Coaches and Officials were testament to the calibre of athletes we have here with a large number being recognised in NZ Squads.”

Caroline Bird of Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service is the recipient of two awards this year, taking out the Bay of Plenty Patrol Support Person of the Year and the Bay of Plenty Official of the Year for her hard work on Surf Lifesaving Sport events throughout the season.

'Caroline has been a real asset this summer, always willing to help and adapt to changes on the day,” says Sonia.

'She's positive and friendly to members of the public, athletes, coaches, fellow officials and patrol members.

'We are very proud that the following athletes have been named in the NZ Junior Black Fins Team who will travel to Italy in September for the World Champs; Jayden Murphy and Talitha McEwan of Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service along with Gus Shivnan and Lucy Bartlett from Omanu Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. These athletes will join their Gisborne counterparts, Jack Keepa, Lachie Falloon, Oska Smith and Summer Rolston, all of Waikanae SLSC.”

Surf Life Saving NZ Awards of Excellence are held every year in each SLSNZ region to recognise and celebrate the many club members putting in considerable time, effort and skills at a grass-roots level to make sure Kiwis who head to the beach get home safe.

The regional awards culminate in the National Awards of Excellence which will be held on September 17.

Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Awards of Excellence Major winners

Bay of Plenty Lifesaving Awards:

Coromandel Lifesaving Awards:

Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Lifesaving Sport Awards:

Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Service Awards:

Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Supreme Awards: