News
BP Rescue of the Month round-up
Wednesday, 10 June 2015Congratulations to all of our BP Rescue of the Month winners for the 2014/15 patrol season.
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.
The national winners received a $500 BP fuel voucher with each of the regional winners 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 19. BP will also award the BP Rescue of the Year winner with a $1,000 BP gift card.
This year's national winners involved everything from a lifeguard jumping out of the rescue helicopter to save a trapped surfer to a multi-agency response for a missing fishing vessel.
In November, lifeguards at Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service won the national award for the daring rescue of a surfer, caught against the rocks on September 29.
December's award went to Westshore Surf Life Saving Club for a rescue performed by off-duty lifeguard Kate O'Malley while holidaying in Whakatane.
In January, the Taranaki Rescue Squad was acknowledged for the rescue of six people stranded on Seagull Rock on January 19.
Whangarei Heads took out February's award for the rescue of a surfer at Ocean Beach on February 14.
Raglan won the national award for March for assisting a surfer out of a rip and preventing further swimmers from getting into strife on March 10.
The final round in April was won by Kariaotahi for their part in a multi-agency response in the search for a missing vessel in the Waikato River bar area on April 6.
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 Communications and External Affairs manager Jonty Mills says what comes through consistently every time in the BP Rescues of the Month is the teamwork and collaboration in conjunction with the highly trained implementation of Surf's systems and processes.
"BP thinks education and prevention are as important as the rescues themselves, because without this continuous commitment from Surf Life Saving in these areas, we would be looking at a far higher drowning rate in this country, he says.
"All the clubs and volunteers do a sensational job and their culture, dedication and passion is truly unique. BP congratulates all the clubs and volunteers and are proud to be part of the Surf Life Saving New Zealand family."
The winner of BP Surf Rescue of the Year will be announced at this year's Awards of Excellence in Wellington on September 19.
The full list of winners is as follows:
April 2015 winners:
Northern Region - Kariaotahi SLSC - download the citation here (national winner)
Eastern Region - Pauanui SLSC - download the citation here
Central Region - Palmerston North SLSC - download the citation here
Southern Region - St Kilda SLSC - download the citation here
March 2015 winners:
Northern Region - Raglan SLSC - download the citation here (national winner)
Eastern Region - Mount Maunganui LS - download the citation here
Central Region - Lyall Bay SLSC - download the citation here
Southern Region - Spencer Park SLSC - download the citation here
February 2015 winners:
Northern Region - Whangarei Heads SLSP - download the citation here (national winner)
Eastern Region - Tolaga Bay SLSC - download the citation here
Central Region - Riversdale SLSC- download the citation here
Southern Region - St Kilda SLSC - download the citation here
January 2015 winners:
Northern Region - Northern Regional Guards - download the citation here
Eastern Region - Ngati Porou SLSC - download the citation here
Central Region - Taranaki Callout Squad - download the citation here (national winner)
Southern Region - Brighton SLSC - download the citation here
December 2014 winners:
Northern Region - Kariaotahi SLSC - download the citation here
Eastern Region - Mount Maunganui LS - download the citation here
Central Region - Westshore SLSC - download the citation here (national winner)
Southern Region - Christchurch Regional Guards - download the citation here
Winter/November 2014 winners:
Northern Region - Muriwai VLS - download the citation here (national winner)
Eastern Region - Mount Maunganui LS - download the citation here
Central Region - Levin-Waitarere SLSC - download the citation here
Southern Region - Taylors Mistake SLSC - download the citation here
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