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A challenging year for the lifeguards of Surf Life Saving Northern Region was reflected at this year’s annual Awards of Excellence, handed out on August 5.
This year, 17 awards went to women leaders, including Lifeguard of the Year, Samantha Larson (Kariotahi Beach).
At the award event, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region chief executive, Matt Williams, noted the importance of recognising volunteers who had performed at their best despite a tough year, including major weather events.
Lifeguards in the Northern Region saved a total of 269 lives across the season, with an additional 312 assisted to safety. There were 60 searches and 125 callouts.
Young people featured highly among the local award winners, with members of Ōrewa and Red Beach clubs winning both the U14 Sportswoman and Sportsman awards and also awarded in the U15, U17 and U19 categories. In addition, Ōrewa’s Tim Rogers’ work with youth saw him pick up the award for Outstanding Contribution to Junior Surf.
For the second consecutive year, Red Beach’s Caleb Archer won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Event Lifeguarding.
Local winners: Ōrewa – Outstanding Contribution to Junior Surf, Tim Rogers; U14 Sportswoman of the year, Erika Orbell; U15 Sportsman of the Year, Jack Handford;
U19 Sportsman of the Year, George Wenman. Red Beach: U14 Sportsman of the year, Dylan Blanchard; U17 Sportsman of the Year, Jasper Cornish; Outstanding Contribution to Event Lifeguarding, Caleb Archer.
Life Memberships for Ōrewa club members
Benny Larsen first joined Ōrewa in the mid 1970s coming through the ranks from a Junior Lifeguard to now being a member of the Board as Director. He is also an active lifeguard.
Mark Johnston (Doc) has been a club member for over 30 years and still patrols Ōrewa Beach as a lifeguard. He has trained hundreds of new members and is also a key volunteer developing new lifeguards across the Northern Region.
