2015-16 season BP Rescue of the Month winners

Close to $5,000 worth of BP Gift Cards has been distributed to Surf Life Saving Clubs through this season's 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 people in the water.

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

National winners received a $500 BP Gift Card and each of the regional winners received a $100 BP Gift Card.

In November, the national award went to Red Beach, Piha and the Northern Region Beach Education team for the brave off-duty rescue of two young girls.

December's award went to Tairua Surf Life Saving Club for the successful rescue of an elderly woman who suffered a heart attack while getting out of the water.

In January, event lifeguards received the award for the successful resuscitation of a heart attack victim during the Capital Classic Ocean Swim in Wellington.

Bethells Beach took February's award for their efforts rescuing a group of six swimmers from a rip.

Pauanui won the national award for March after assisting with the rescue of a stranded boat on the Tairua bar.

The final round in April was won by Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service when their decision to extend their patrol season resulted in several lives being saved.

The national winners from each month now go on to be judged for the BP Rescue of the Year Award which will be announced at the annual Awards of Excellence in Auckland on
September 24. The winner will receive $1,000 from BP.

BP Managing Director Matt Elliott says BP supports the Rescue of the Month Awards to openly acknowledge the clubbies that risk their lives every day in order to save others.

"The courage shown by lifeguards on New Zealand beaches is truly inspirational and we think it's important for these stories to be shared.

"The team at BP is really proud to have supported Surf Life Saving New Zealand for the last 48 years," he says.

For more information about BP Rescue of the Month and to view the full citations for our winners, click here.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Winter/November 2015 winners:
Northern Region - Piha, Red Beach, Northern Region Beach Education (national)
Eastern Region - Wainui
Central Region - Capital Coast Callout Squad
Southern Region - Taylors Mistake

December 2015 winners:
Northern Region - Mangawhai Heads
Eastern Region - Tairua (national)
Central Region - Hawke's Bay Regional Lifeguard Service
Southern Region - Taylors Mistake

January 2016 winners:
Northern Region - Orewa
Eastern Region - Tairua
Central Region - Capital Classic Event Lifeguards (national)
Southern Region - Taylors Mistake

February 2016 winners:
Northern Region - Bethells Beach (national)
Eastern Region - Whangamata
Central Region - no nominations
Southern Region - Taylors Mistake

March 2016 winners:
Northern Region - Bethells
Eastern Region - Pauanui (national)
Central Region - Titahi Bay
Southern Region - St Clair

April 2016 winners:
Northern Region - Muriwai (national)
Eastern Region - Hot Water Beach
Central Region - Waimarama
Southern Region - no nominations

For more information, please contact:

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