National Lifeguard School participants announced

Thirty one lifeguards are set to undertake intense training to gain the highest qualification when it comes to lifeguarding in New Zealand with the National Lifeguard School.

Due to the overwhelming amount of applications for this year's National Lifeguard School, two schools will be run at Fitzroy and Whiritoa.

School One will be held at Whiritoa in the Coromandel from December 12-14, 2014 and School Two will be held at Fitzroy in Taranaki from February 13-15, 2015.

We are pleased to announce that the following people have been selected:

Northern:
James Campbell, Omaha Beach
Guy Hornblow, Kariaotahi
Conor McGorman, Mairangi Bay
Daniel Short, Mairangi Bay
Amelia Lowe, Mairangi Bay

Eastern:
Savannah Fuller, Mount Maunganui
Cameron Witney, Mount Maunganui
Scott Cowdrey, Papamoa
Hamish Smith, Papamoa
Ben McKenzie, Pauanui
Mark Gordon, Pauanui
Thomas Yule, Omanu Beach
Mitch Jensen, Whangamata
Mitch Coldicutt, Whangamata
Kenjiro Takano, Whangamata
Gareth Lynch, Tairua
Hamish Stewart, Tairua
Thomas Richards, Tairua

Central:
Troy Greenem, Lyall Bay
Nathan Berry, Levin-Waitarere
Corline Theron, Palmerston North
Margot Mackay, Palmerston North
Isacc Hyde, Otaki
Jordan Hooper, Opunake
Liam Cole, East End
Maaike McKernan, New Plymouth Old Boys

Southern:
Naomi Darvill, Sumner
Ben Harrison, Brighton
Ed Steenbergen, Nelson
Chloe Harris, North beach
Sam Blackmore, Waimairi

Lifeguards who successfully complete a National Lifeguard School with all the required prerequisites are then awarded their Advanced Lifeguard Award - the highest award for Surf Lifeguards in New Zealand.

SLSNZ Member Development Manager Belinda Slement says National Lifeguard Schools are something that lifeguards aspire to. They combine dynamic theory sessions with a number of intensive practical and scenario based activities extending participants both physically and mentally - honing already advanced skills.

"Gaining your Advanced Lifeguard Award through the National Lifeguard School is a big deal amongst lifeguards and is considered a top honour. This season's candidates are of an exceptionally high calibre and I look forward to seeing them progress," she says.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand has a couple of places available at the Fitzroy National Lifeguard School from February 13-15, 2015.

If you are interested in attending National Lifeguard School to gain your Advanced Lifeguard Award please check you have all the required pre-requisites here and email Belinda Slement.

For more information please contact: 

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz