BP Rescue of the Month round-up

The 2013/14 patrol season saw a wide range of rescues taking place across the country with over 25 being nominated for BP Rescue of the Month Awards.

BP Rescue of the Month Awards are the opportunity for clubs to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community and Surf Life Saving's purpose of protecting our community in the water.

Each month, from November to April, regional winners were chosen with one being selected as the overall national winner.

This season, BP generously confirmed extra support to the BP Rescue of the Month awards. In the past, the national Rescue of the Month winner was awarded a $100 BP fuel voucher. They now receive a $500 BP fuel voucher with each of the regional winners now receiving a $100 BP fuel voucher.

The national winners from each month go on to be judged for the BP Rescue of the Year Award which will be announced at the annual Awards of Excellence in Wellington on September 20. BP has also increased their support of this award by offering the BP Rescue of the Year winner $1,000- up from $500 in previous years.

This year's national winners involved everything from divers stranded on rocks and swimmers caught in rips to body boarders and kayakers in distress.

In November, lifeguards at Whakatane SLSC won the national award for a daring rescue in rough seas on the coast between Whakatane and Ohope where they saved some divers who were stranded on the rocks by the rising tide.

December's award went to Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Club for the efforts of multiple lifeguards in three separate incidents at the end of a normal patrol day that had just celebrated the qualification of 17 new lifeguards.

In January, Orewa SLSC was rewarded for a dramatic rescue that was responsible for the survival of four young swimmers in the estuary, one of which was floating face down - lifeless.

Kariaotahi took out February's award for their efforts to save a body boarder and two swimmers from a rip on a busy Waitangi Day.

Titahi Bay won the national award for March after rescuing some kayakers who had been pushed into rocks around the northern point.

The final round in April was won by Pauanui SLSC for saving a group of inexperienced ocean kayakers who had paddled out into dangerous conditions on the Pauanui Bar.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Chairman Geoff Hamilton says admiration of the skill and professionalism shown by those involved in these rescues is testament to qualities valued by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and BP.

BP Managing Director Matt Elliott says "BP's partnership with Surf Life Saving NZ is heading towards 50 years. Many of our staff and customers are avid beachgoers and we recognise the importance of having an organisation like SLSNZ patrolling the beaches. Our staff are very proud of our partnership, and the courage and excellence that the lifeguards demonstrate in their rescues is truly inspirational," he says.

The full list of winners is as follows:

April 2014 winners:

• Northern Region - no nominations
• Eastern Region - Pauanui Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• Central Region - no nominations
• Southern Region - Waikuku Beach Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• National winner - Pauanui Surf Life Saving Club 

March 2014 winners:

• Northern Region - no nominations
• Eastern Region - Hot Water Beach Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• Central Region - Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• Southern Region - St Clair Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• National winner - Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club

February 2014 winners:

• Northern Region - Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• Eastern Region - Whiritoa Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• Central Region - Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• Southern Region - Sumner Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• National winner - Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club 

January 2014 winners:

• Northern Region - Orewa Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• Eastern Region - Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service - download the citation here
• Central Region - Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• Southern Region - no nominations
• National winner - Orewa Surf Life Saving Club

December 2013 winners:

• Northern Region - Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Patrol - download the citation here 
• Eastern Region - no nominations
• Central Region - Palmerston North Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• Southern Region - South Brighton Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• National winner - Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Patrol

Winter/November 2013 winners

• Northern Region - Piha Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here
• Eastern Region - Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• Central Region - Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club - download the citation here 
• Southern Region - no nominations
• National winner - Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club 

Visit www.surflifesaving.org.nz/rescueofthemonth for more information.

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