Next wave of Lifeguards show their skills at the 2022 Eastern Regional Rookie Championships

The 2022 Eastern Regional Rookie Championships took place on Saturday 2nd of April in near perfect conditions. It was the only Eastern Region event this year to go ahead in its original format due to Covid-19 restrictions impacting all other regional events this season. 

40 Rookie lifeguards made into eight teams had a great day putting their training into practice, carrying out lifesaving tasks and ocean-based race events in a competitive environment as well as a theory exam. They were tested across a variety of core lifeguarding competencies including physical skills, practical and theory tasks involving patrol scenarios, rescue-based skills and first aid situations. 

Poppy Crouch, SLSNZ Coromandel Club Development Officer says, “Waihi were great hosts and conditions were near on perfect for our Eastern Region Rookies with a nice challenging wave for them for the water events. On-land components are similar to Surf Life Saving Award (SLA) exam tasks and give the Rookie lifeguards really good experience in preparation for the SLA exam next year.” 

She adds, “We wish to thank our volunteer examiners and assessors, the water safety team from Waihi beach and all our volunteer patients who helped us put on the event and of course our sponsor, Zespri whose support of lifesaving in the Eastern Region is invaluable.” 

2022 Eastern Regional Rookie Championship Results: 

Teams  

• 1st Waihi Beach LGS White  
• 2nd Omanu SLSC 
• 3rd Papamoa SLSC Tornados  

 Female  

• 1st Tessa Scott, Waihi Beach LGS 
• 2nd Olivia Verryt, Omanu SLSC 
• 3rd Tianna MacDonald, Waihi Beach LGS 

 Male  

• 1st Finn Crawford, Omanu SLSC 
• 2nd Ryan Teixeira, Papamoa SLSC 
• 3rd Oliver Peppers, Papamoa SLSC