In running for excellence awards

Cory Taylor from Midway Surf Lifesaving Club is on the list of finalists at the Surf Lifesaving NZ Awards of Excellence in Wellington on September 23.File pictures

New Zealand’s top surf lifeguards will be honoured for their achievements and contributions at the Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Awards of Excellence later this month, and a stack of them come from Gisborne.

On September 23 lifeguards and other volunteers from around the country will gather at Te Papa in Wellington for the awards, which will recognise recipients in the areas of lifesaving, sport, and education.

Steve Fisher, SLSNZ chief executive officer, said the awards acknowledge the surf lifeguards who keep watch between the red and yellow flags, as well as all the volunteers who contribute to the organisation’s success but don’t necessarily get their feet wet, from the trainers to assessors, coaches, administrators, and many more.

Adam Glenister from Riversun Wainui SLSC is a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category, Ana Naden from Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae is a finalist for Lifeguard of  the Year,  Dawson Building Midway’s Rama Robertson is a finalist in the Instructor of the Year, his clubmate Glenn Hamblyn is a finalist for Patrol Support Officer of the Year, Wainui’s Dion Williams is a finalist for Surf Official of the Year  and Midway’s Jack Gavin is a finalist for Coach of the Year.

Midway’s Cory Taylor is a finalist for the International Sport Performance of the Year award.

During the 2022/2023 season, 4300 surf lifeguards spent 225,000 hours patrolling more than 80 locations, saving over 1400 lives.

They also played a pivotal role in the emergency response following severe flooding in Auckland in January, and barely two weeks later, in Cyclone Gabrielle.

“When Cyclone Gabrielle struck Hawke’s Bay, 80 surf lifeguards from various regions responded quickly,” Mr Fisher said.

“They worked in some of the most severely impacted areas such as Eskdale and Bayview, where they successfully rescued over 200 individuals and aided more people and pets to safety.”

The ‘Rescue of the Year’ finalists come from Sunset Beach SLSC  in the Waikato, Mairangi Bay SLSC in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay’s Search and Rescue call-out squad, and Taylors Mistake SLSC in Christchurch.

Mr Fisher said throughout the 2022/2023 season, surf lifesavers faced huge challenges, displaying courage and teamwork that exemplified the finest aspects of the volunteer spirit.

“They also showcased their versatility and demonstrated their indispensable role as an emergency service during times of national disaster.”

“The National Awards of Excellence are an annual event, with finalists selected from winners of the regional Awards of Excellence held earlier in the year,” he said.

“On behalf of SLSNZ, I want to congratulate all our Award finalists who work tirelessly to ensure beachgoers return home to their friends and whānau.”