Lifeguards from around Bay of Plenty and Coromandel have been recognised for their accomplishments in the annual Awards of Excellence.
Held at the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club on July 20, the awards acknowledged the incredible skills, commitment, and effort by surf lifeguards, as well as those who educated others, managed administration, and participated in lifesaving sport throughout the 2023/2024 season.
"Surf lifesaving is a team effort and every year we rely on hundreds of people giving up their precious time to protect beachgoers and keep them safe," says SLSNZ Eastern Regional Manager Avan Polo.
"Because of this, the Awards of Excellence is such an important date on our calendar and this year was no different! It was a fantastic night of celebration and reflection.
"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was involved and send a big congratulations to all the winners.”
Donna Pfefferle from Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services won Coromandel NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year.
"Donna’s commitment to the club’s success and leadership development is unwavering. She’s spearheaded a number of strategic projects, including the Climate Adaptation Plan, which showcases her dedication to future-proofing the club and community," says Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services lifeguarding director Lucy Scown.
"Furthermore, her leadership secured council and community approval for the Bowentown Hub building.
"Through Donna’s strategic leadership, she’s ensuring the club’s resilience and nurturing a strong sense of community both locally and regionally.
"Her contributions extend beyond the club’s borders, making a meaningful impact on the broader surf lifesaving community at regional and national levels."
Sam Cox from Pauanui SLSC won Coromandel DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year. During the 2023/2024 session, he held a number of roles at the club including Co Club Captain, Regional Head Surf Lifeguard, and Peer Supporter.
Pauanui SLSC co-club captain Stella Reid says Sam is always willing to lend a hand to help make all aspects of the club run smoother.
"He is constantly helping upskill junior surf lifeguards and keep volunteer patrols running during the weekend while always keeping a priority on the safety of beachgoers and the safety of the surf lifeguards and club members around him.
"Amazingly, Sam does all of this with a positive attitude and is always willing to have a conversation – whether that’s building someone up or figuring out a way that the process can be done better or more efficiently."
Andrew McDowell from Pukehina Surf Rescue won Bay of Plenty NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of Year. During the 2023/2024 season, he carried out a number of roles including surf lifeguard Patrol Captain, Club and Building Chair, and Search and Rescue Coordinator.
Pukehina Surf Rescue sport coordinator Boyd Harris says Andrew gave his heart and soul to the club, region, and Surf Life Saving movement over the 2023/2024 season, along with an insane amount of time to ensure all the mahi required to run a club, mentor people, and ensure the new clubroom facilities are completed on time and to budget.
"Pukehina has built a reputation for punching above its size and weight and with the leadership and mentorship Andrew provides for our people we will navigate our way into managing the new direction of club operations and servicing our local communities on a far greater scale than the last 26 years of existence."
Liam Shanahan from Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service won Bay of Plenty DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year and Bay of Plenty DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year. During the 2023/2024 season he clocked up nearly 600 hours across paid and volunteer surf lifeguard operations.
Image: Cody Keepa.
"It was a massive year of growth and development for Liam as it was his first year as Head Paid Lifeguard," says Grant Davis-Calvert, Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service.
"He was one of the youngest Head Paid Lifeguards we’ve seen in a while at Mount Maunganui Lifeguard service, but this responsibility allowed him to use his natural leadership skills.
"For a young man, Liam shows a great sense of maturity and an ability to make sure all aspects of his surf lifeguard tasks are carried out in a manner that ensures safety for all."
The Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Awards of Excellence brought together Surf Life Saving clubs including Hot Water Beach, Tairua, Pauanui, Onemana, Whangamatā, Whiritoa, Waihi Beach, Mount Maunganui, Omanu, Papamoa, Maketu, Pukehina, Whakatāne, and Ōpōtiki.
Full list of winners:
Bay of Plenty Examiner of the Year |
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Radleigh Cairns |
Papamoa |
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Coromandel Examiner of the Year |
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Ella Toumadj |
Whangamatā |
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Bay of Plenty Instructor of the Year |
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Caroline Trapski |
Maketu |
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Coromandel Instructor of the Year |
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Gabriella Hughes |
Tairua |
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Bay of Plenty Junior Surf Contribution of the Year |
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Merehini Meads |
Maketu |
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Coromandel Junior Surf Contribution of the Year |
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Briarna Higgs |
Tairua |
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Bay of Plenty DHL Patrol Support of the Year |
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Bradley Hopping |
Maketu |
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Coromandel DHL Patrol Support of the Year |
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Nicola Young-Harbour |
Whangamatā |
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Bay of Plenty bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year |
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Ray Stoddart |
Ōpōtiki |
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Coromandel bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year |
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Connor McLeay |
Onemana |
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Bay of Plenty bp Rescue of the Month/Year |
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Mount Maunganui LS - 8 April 2024 |
Mount Maunganui |
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Coromandel bp Rescue of the Month/Year |
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Whangamatā SLSC - 16 April 2024 |
Whangamatā |
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Coromandel bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year |
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Andrew Cochrane |
Waihi Beach |
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Bay of Plenty DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Liam Shanahan |
Mount Maunganui |
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Coromandel DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Louis Batten |
Onemana |
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Bay of Plenty DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Liam Shanahan |
Mount Maunganui |
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Coromandel DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Sam Cox |
Pauanui |
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Bay of Plenty Patrol Captain of the Year |
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Ryan Hohneck |
Papamoa |
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Coromandel Patrol Captain of the Year |
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Macayla Lock |
Pauanui |
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Top Rookie Award (Harrison Mundy Mem) |
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Jayden Harris |
Pukehina |
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Bay of Plenty Paid Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Mitch Cowdrey |
Papamoa |
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Coromandel Paid Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Macayla Lock |
Pauanui |
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Bay of Plenty Beach Education Instructor of the Year |
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Nikita Bublitz |
Lyall Bay |
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Coromandel Beach Education Instructor of the Year |
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Connor McLeay |
Onemana |
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Sportsperson of the Year |
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U14 Male |
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Simiosi Tukia |
Waihi Beach |
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U14 Female |
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India-Rose Scholes |
Mount Maunganui |
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U15 Male |
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Oliver Pepers |
Papamoa |
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U15 Female |
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Olivia Verryt |
Omanu |
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U17 Male |
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Braith Swanberg |
Omanu |
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U17 Female |
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Alyssa Tapper |
Whangamatā |
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U19 Male |
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Azrael Cabusao |
Whakatāne |
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U19 Female |
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Pippa Nicol |
Mount Maunganui |
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Open Male |
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Jayden Murphy |
Mount Maunganui |
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Open Female |
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Molly Shivnan |
Omanu |
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Masters Male |
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Ian Glover |
Omanu |
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Masters Female |
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Naomi Davoren |
Papamoa |
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Coach of the Year |
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Jack Bullock |
Papamoa |
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Coaches Commitment Award |
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Daniel Shanahan |
Mount Maunganui |
Greg Swanberg |
Omanu |
Daniel Lewis |
Whangamatā |
Peter Hodgson |
Waihi Beach |
Jonn Ripo |
Pukehina |
Trelise Chote |
Papamoa |
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Emerging Coach of the Year |
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Keaton White |
Waihi Beach |
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Emerging Surf Official of the Year |
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David Cox |
Papamoa |
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Volunteer Coach of the Year |
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Christine (Chrissie) Nairn |
Pukehina |
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Volunteer Event Safety Contribution of the Year |
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Flynn Weatherall |
Omanu |
Shaun Smith |
Papamoa |
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Sportsperson of the Year |
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Madison Kidd |
Whangamatā |
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Sports Team of Year |
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Omanu U17 Taplin Team Luke Thompson, Braith Swanberg, Charlie Shivnan |
Omanu |
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Surf Official of the Year |
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Joanne Miller |
Papamoa |
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Bay of Plenty NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of Year |
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Andrew McDowell |
Pukehina |
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Coromandel NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year |
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Donna Pfefferle |
Waihi Beach |
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Coromandel Innovation Award |
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Tairua Surf Life Saving Club |
Tairua |
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Regional Service Award |
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Katrina Madill |
Mt Maunganui |
Christian Richardson |
Omanu |
Sam Cox |
Pauanui |
Jamie Lock |
Pauanui |
Stella Reid |
Pauanui |
Nicole Clare |
Waihi Beach |
Ella Higgins |
Waihi Beach |
Donna Pfefferle |
Waihi Beach |
Maddie Scown |
Waihi Beach |
Nicholas Wagstaff |
Waihi Beach |
Errol Verstegen |
Whakatāne |
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Regional Distinguished Service Award |
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Phoebe Havill |
Onemana |
Jack Sewell |
Onemana |
Ryan Hohneck |
Papamoa |
Lucy Scown |
Waihi Beach |
Nicholas Wagstaff |
Waihi Beach |
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Regional Life Membership Award |
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Donal Boyle |
Omanu |
Ailsa Cowdrey |
Papamoa |
Naomi Davoren |
Papamoa |
Shaun Smith |
Papamoa |
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