Best volunteer lifeguards recognised

• Published date: 11 August 2022
• Publication title: Katikati Advertiser

The awards honour the volunteers who have devoted numerous hours to keeping our beaches and people safe and lifesaving athletes who have shone in competition

Avan Polo, Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Manager, says, “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. 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 more than 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. Also, 588 people were given first aid treatment by lifeguards and 26,498 preventative actions were implemented to keep beachgoers out of trouble.

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.

Chaz Gibbons-Campbell, Eastern Region Lifesaving Manager, says “Dominic leads by example and is always looking for ways to increase member engagement and retention. He is a great lifeguard, carrying out his duties to a high standard.”

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 grassroots 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 Supreme Awards:Bay of Plenty Volunteer of the Year, Merehini Meads, Maketu SLSC

Coromandel Volunteer of the...