SLSNZ Capital Coast and Hawke’s Bay Awards of Excellence winners announced

Last weekend the top volunteers, athletes and Surf Lifeguards were honoured at the Surf Life Saving NZ Capital Coast and Hawke’s Bay Awards. The Capital Coast Award event took place on Saturday 28^th May at the Mana Cruising Club, Ngati Toa, Mana and the Hawke’s Bay Award happened on Sunday 29^th May at the Ellwood Function Centre in Waipatu, Hastings.

The Awards of Excellence acknowledge the volunteers who have gone above and beyond, dedicating many hours to their club and those who have excelled in Lifesaving Sport.

SLSNZ Central Region Manager, Charlie Cordwell says the Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past season.

“It was amazing to get together at the recent Awards events to recognise some very special people in our lifesaving community. I’d also like to thank all of our volunteers who selflessly give up their time to keep the public safe at our beaches.”

Capital Coast Winners

Lifeguard of the Year

The honour of 2022 Capital Coast Lifeguard of the Year goes to Jago Dellow from Paekakariki SLSC. Jago was a Patrol Captain who organised and led lifeguards at local events while also providing support to patrol teams as the Club Patrol Officer. Jago has also been part of the Rookie lifeguard training program for over 5 years. With Jago’s help, 14 new lifeguards qualified this year. Jago took part in an All-terrain vehicle (ATV) driver training course and continues to mentor guards on how to correctly use the ATV. He has taken the skills and knowledge learnt and passed it on to the wider membership, developing other guards and helping them build confidence and skill when driving and crewing the ATV. Jago is always looking to improve his skills and has completed his first aid level 1 and surf first aid awards this season. He has spent time working on his rock rescue ability by attending and instructing at local workshops. A great role model for surf lifesaving and beach safety in the wider community, Jago has displayed the utmost professionalism in all aspects of lifesaving and ensures he is leading by example.

Capital Coast Lifeguard of the Year, Jago Dellow

Volunteer of the Year

Adam Radich from Foxton SLSC was recognised as the Volunteer of the Year for the 2021-22 season. Adam is a lifeguard, executive committee member and also the Junior surf co-ordinator for Foxton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, he also looks after media engagement and several other management facets of club operations. The Foxton club building was an aged, earthquake hazard so Adam successfully front-footed and drove the strategic direction of the new club refurbishment project, using his full-time job experience to ensure the success of this application. Without Adam’s massive contribution, time, energy and expertise the Foxton SLSC would never have been able to have the fully renovated club that it now has. All of this is also on top of his impressive 65 hours of patrolling over the season.

Capital Coast Volunteer of the Year, Adam Radich

Sports Person of the Year

Ella Kingi from Otaki SLSC was named Sports Person of the Year. Despite some key Sport events being cancelled due to Covid-19 Ella has had an impressive season making her a deserving recipient. Ella was selected as part of the 2022-23 New Zealand High Performance Team. She performed well at Aussie Nationals coming 24th in the final of the Open Female Surf Race, also making finals in the Open Female Taplin and Board Relay. Ella also made semi-finals in the Female Ironperson narrowly missing out on a finals slot and got through to quarters in ski. Ella was invited to the Owen Chapman Day of Giants at Piha an invitational Ironperson event where she came 2nd. She was also invited to attend the Mount Maunganui Invitational Teams event.

Capital Coast Sports Person of the Year, Ella Kingi (Image credit: Bay of Plenty Times)

Hawke’s Bay Winners

Lifeguard of the Year

Temepara Reihana from Westshore SLSC was recognised as the Hawke’s Bay Lifeguard of the Year this year. Temepara was Westshore’s Top Patroller for the 2021-22 season, clocking an impressive 261.5 hours. She put in a considerable amount of volunteer hours over and above her rostered patrols, assisting as a volunteer on SLSNZ Regional Lifeguard duty at both Westshore and Waipatiki where she assisted in one rescue and several preventative actions. During the season Temepara was an active coach and instructor for Westshore’s Junior Surf Sunday programme in the 7-9 age group as well as assisting with instructing all three of Westshore’s Lifeguard training schools. She also acted as club representative at all 3 Westshore SLA Exams and assisted examiners. Temepara is extremely motivated to be the best Surf Lifeguard she can be and has hugely improved her capability as a Lifeguard, she pushes those around her to improve by showing leadership.

Hawkes Bay Lifeguard of the Year, Temepara Reihana

Volunteer of the Year

The recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Durrand Cup was Harry Machiela, Pacific SLSC. He is the club Chairperson and is an active member of the Hawke’s Bay Chairs committee, brokering excellent relationships with the Napier City Council and local sponsors. Harry’s workload over the last 12 months, has been nothing short of outstanding especially in light of the challenges the club faced with Covid mandates and a spate of burglaries. He was instrumental in organising and overseeing much-needed renovations to the clubhouse and ensuring the club is well equipped with new clothing. Harry also found the time to work towards his IRB qualifications and assisted with local event guarding.

Hawkes Bay Volunteer of the Year, Harry Machiela

Sports Person of the Year

The Sportsperson of the Year accolade went to Bella Bassett-Foss from Waimarama SLSC. Bella remains the dominant female athlete in Hawke’s Bay and battles alongside the best in the country at regional and national events. She was the only Hawke’s Bay athlete selected to compete in the New Zealand Invitational event held at Mount Maunganui. She’s a well-respected coach and mentor in the club for being a dependable and hard trainer. Bella is happy to muck in behind the scenes carrying out tasks like towing trailers to training and organising branded gear for the team. Bella was accepted for the role of Club Captain this year and has launched into training again, rallying the team to transition focus for the coming season.

Hawkes Bay Sports Person of the Year, Bella Bassett-Foss

Central Region Service Award Winners

Distinguished Service Award

Nathan Berry received the Central Region Distinguished Service Award. Nathan was given his Surf Lifeguard Award as a clubbie at Levin SLSC and he has been at his current club, Westshore since 2018. He received the Club Service Award in 2019 and currently carries out numerous roles including Club Committee Member, Patrol Captain, Lifesaving Instructor, SAR Squad Member, Regional Course Facilitator and Event Water Safety and First Aid. Nathan also sits on the Local Advisory and Chief Examiner Committees as well as being an Area Examiner.

Regional Distinguished Service Award, Nathan Berry

Life Membership Award

The Central Region Life Membership was awarded to Michael Bassett-Foss for his ongoing services to Surf Lifesaving. Michael received his Surf Lifeguard Award at Otaki SLSC back in 1978, he then moved on to Fitzroy from 1990-to 1991 before joining his current club Waimarama in 2007. Over the years Michael has carried out a multitude of roles notably including, Board Member, Chairperson, sitting on the SLSNZ Board Advisory Panel, taking part in the NZ SAR and Recreational Safety systems review and acting as a SLSNZ delegate for Water Safety NZ. His Life Membership comes as a well-deserved addition to the Service Award he received in 2016 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2020.

Regional Life Member, Michael Bassett-Foss

Surf Life Saving NZ Awards of Excellence are held every year in each SLSNZ region to recognise and celebrate the many club members putting in considerable time, effort and skills at a grass-roots level to make sure Kiwis who head to the beach get home safe. The regional awards culminate in the National Awards of Excellence which will be held on September 17^th.