News

National Lifeguard School pushes top lifeguards to advance their skills

Friday, 16 December 2022

Fifteen of New Zealand’s top volunteer Surf Lifeguards were put through their paces at Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s National Lifeguard School at Waihi Beach last weekend.  Participants completed a dynamic and intensive training weekend to further advance their knowledge and experience. The weekend enabled them to progress towards achieving their Advanced Lifeguard Award, the highest Surf Life Saving Award available in New Zealand. 

The Volunteer Surf Lifeguards, from as far south as Brighton and as far north as Red Beach, travelled to Waihi Surf Life Saving Club to take part in the National Lifeguard School from December 8th – 11th. Participants completed the school in challenging conditions with a big swell running directly into Waihi beach.

Between the physically demanding sessions, candidates undertook classroom-based learning, team building activities and well-orchestrated patrol, first aid and search scenarios. 

Surf Life Saving New Zealand, National Education Manager, Belinda Slement said the candidates were challenged from start to finish during the “high octane” weekend. 

“The weekend really tested the candidates with full days that started early and finished late. They were put into high-stress situations that required them to develop advanced skills and demonstrate knowledge. They all did a fantastic job stepping up to the challenge.” 

National Lifeguard School is critical for building the organisation’s lifeguarding capability across the country. 

Belinda said, “National Lifeguard School provides a goal for all Surf Lifeguards to aim for and pushes them to be the best they can be. It offers participants the opportunity to build their skillset and knowledge to a high level. They take these valuable learnings and the confidence they have developed back to their home beaches across the regions, and can help inspire other lifeguards coming through the ranks.” 

 

The school is carried out by an inspiring team of highly skilled instructors with extensive real-life rescue, search and first aid experience. Throughout the weekend, candidates were constantly observed and evaluated by staff and instructors in the search for the school’s standout pupil. 

The top candidate award recognises the individual who consistently demonstrates the attributes of an advanced lifeguard. Leadership, teamwork, diligence, tenacity, knowledge, lifeguarding skills and physical ability are all equally weighted in consideration. 

Top Candidate, Will Simmons from Sumner Surf Life Saving Club

This year, Will Simmons from Sumner Surf Life Saving Club was crowned ‘top candidate’. He said, “National Lifeguard School as a full one weekend of new learnings, fun and adventure.  I learnt so many new skills, knowledge all of which I can take back to my clubs patrols and help develop our lifeguards”

“The amazing knowledge all the instructors and mentors shared and being surrounded by a real spread of lifeguards from across the country really contributed to my learnings throughout the weekend.”

“Many of the tasks really put me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to develop and enhance my IRB, surf lifesaving and leadership skills.” 

Candidates who attended this year’s National Lifeguard School were: 

Olivia

Kayes

Red Beach

Northern

Alex

Manning

Whakatane

Eastern

Neilsford-Jones

Omanu

Eastern

Alex

Padfield

Mount Maunganui/Papamoa

Eastern

Daniel

Shanahan

Mount Maunganui

Eastern

Isaac

Chadwick

Whangamata

Eastern

Maggie

Lowe

Whangamata

Eastern

Grace

Westenberg

Whangamata

Eastern

Thomas

Kay

Ocean Beach Kiwi

Central

Eli

Jones

Titahi Bay

Central

Mac

Van den Heuvel

Titahi bay

Central

Ethan

Jones

Titahi Bay

Central

Will

Simmons

Sumner

Southern

Jesse

Webb

Waimairi

Southern

Ali

Adams

Brighton

Southern

 

Instructors and Mentors:

Head Instructor

Kate

Suter

Sumner

Instructor

Tom

Denman

Sumner

Instructor

James

Kendrick

Bethells Beach

Instructor

Brad

Ward Able

Muriwai/Mairangi Bay

Instructor

Dan

Short

Mairangi Bay/United North Piha

Instructor

Ashleigh

Hurring

Fitzroy

Instructor

Phoebe

Havill

Onemana

Mentor

Ana

Naden

Waikanae

Mentor

Josh

Carmine

Ocean Beach Kiwi

Mentor

Felix

Cook

Mount Maunganui/St Kilda

Mentor

Sam

Teteina

Bethells Beach