Surf Life Saving New Zealand celebrates excellence at Gisborne Tairāwhiti awards

The top achievers in surf lifesaving in the district over the summer, and in the past 12 months, will be recognised in an awards night to be held at the Riversun Wainui clubhouse on June 9. Tickets have gone on sale through the various club administrators. Picture supplied

The finalists for Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s (SLSNZ) Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence have been announced.

The awards recognise and celebrate the hard work, skills, and dedication that go into surf lifeguarding, education, administration, and lifesaving sports throughout the 2022/23 season.

SLSNZ Eastern Region manager Avan Polo said it was an extremely challenging season for Gisborne-Tairāwhiti clubs.

“They were faced with a number of adverse weather events that caused significant flooding throughout the area and large amounts of beach debris washed up, forcing the closure of many beaches throughout the busy summer period.

“This put a lot of pressure on our volunteers, as they had to not only look after their own friends and whānau, but also their local communities.

“Our volunteers have shown tremendous strength in the face of these adversities, and it’s been truly humbling to see everyone pull through and support each other,” Mr Polo said.

The SLSNZ Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence will recognise the top surf lifeguards and club members from Ūawa Tiaki Tai-Tolaga Bay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), Riversun Wainui SLSC, Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae SLSC, Dawson Building Midway SLSC and Ngāti Porou SLSC.

The awards will be held at the Wainui club on June 9.

Awards finalists

Lifesaving

“Frother” (youth): Else Pauwels - Wainui; Sierra Blumfield - Waikanae; Lilla Hain - Midway; Posey Willock – Mid.

Instructor: Belinda Slement - Wain; Rodney Richards  -Waik; Rama Robertson - Midway.

Examiner: Belinda Slement - Wain; Michelle Mitchell - Waik; Rama Robertson - Wain.

Beach Ed Instructor: Ian Procter - Wain.

Paid Lifeguard: Boyd Harris - Pukehina Surf Rescue; Luke Seufert - Opotiki; Thomas Dodds – Ōpōtiki.

Patrol Captain: Lyall Evans - Wain; Nigel Hope - Waik; Rama Robertson - Mid.

Patrol Support Person: Jo Whibley - Wain; Anna Briant - Waik; Glenn Hamblyn - Mid.

Emerging (under-19) Volunteer Lifeguard: Theo Weatherley - Wain; Freya Wilson - Waik; Jacqueline Kennedy - Mid.

Volunteer Lifeguard: Ruby Lobb - Wain; Ana Naden - Waik; Oliver Scammell - Mid.

Sports

Coaches Commitment: Charlotte Alexander - Wain;  Lachie Falloon - Waik; Jacob Corrin -  Mid.

Emerging Coach: Hannah King - Wain;  Kimberley Hayes - Waik.

Volunteer Coach: Chris Tilghman - Wain;  Michelle Mitchell - Waik; Jared Phelps - Mid.

Coach: Dion Williams - Wain; Arna Majstrovic - Waik; Cory Hutchings - Waik; Jack Gavin  - Mid.

Emerging Surf Official: Rodney Richards  - Waik; Rachael Matthews - Mid.

Surf Official: Dion Williams - Wain; Eric Clearwater - Waik; Miah Phelps - Mid.

Sports Team: Waikanae -U19 male board relay (Jack Keepa, Jonty Evans, Lachie Falloon); Midway U17 male board relay (Jack Lepper, Tyron Evans, Yahni Brown).

International Individual Sports Performance: Oska Smith - Waik; Chris Dawson - Mid; Cory Taylor - Mid; Olivia Corrin - Mid.

International Team Sports Performance: NZ Black Fins Open (Chris Dawson, Cory Taylor); U19 Male NZ Black Fins Youth (Jack Keepa, Lachie Falloon, Oska Smith).

Sportsperson awards - U14 female: Tillie King - Wai; Georgie Beaufoy - Waik; Gabrielle Searle - Mid.

U14 Male: Mako Fukushima-Hall - Wain; Riley Knight - Mid.

U15 Female: Sierra Blumfield - Waik; Ella Sutton - Mid; Jacqueline Kennedy - Mid.

U15 Male: Taran Wilson - Waik; Harry Hayward - Mid.

U17 Female: Chloe Kapene - Waik; Alice Sparks - Mid; Sophie Petro - Mid.

U17 Male: Max Phillips - Waik; Jack Lepper - Mid; Tyron Evans - Mid; Yahni Brown - Mid.

U19 Female: Summer Rolston - Waik; Jessikah Fearnley - Mid.

U19 Male: Lachie Falloon - Waik; Angus Blair - Mid.

Open Female: Briana Irving - Waik; Olivia Corrin - Mid.

Open Male: Oska Smith - Waik;  Chris Dawson - Mid; Cory Taylor Mid.

Supreme Award - Volunteer of the Year: Adam Glenister - Wain; Glenn Knight - Mid;  Sam Gavin - Mid.