Congratulations to our 2025 National Lifeguard School graduates!

Eighteen senior surf lifeguards from clubs across New Zealand have completed the National Lifeguard School 2025, earning Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s highest lifeguard qualification – the Advanced Lifeguard Award - and returning home better equipped to lead and protect their communities. 

Held at Mount Maunganui from 4 to 7 December, the National Lifeguard School is the pinnacle of lifeguard development. The four-day programme qualifies Senior Surf Lifeguards as Advanced Surf Lifeguards through intensive training that tests them mentally and physically. 

Candidates were supported by a highly experienced instructional team led by Dan Short, undertaking long days that began at dawn and often ran past dusk. Learning was delivered through a dynamic mix of theory sessions, physical challenges and hands-on practical scenarios designed to reflect the complexity of real-world rescues. 

Training covered advanced first aid care, leadership and decision-making under pressure, search and rescue techniques, precision IRB driving in challenging environments, and complex rock-based extractions and recoveries. On the final day, candidates were required to bring all these skills together in a series of realistic and demanding practical scenarios. 

National Education Manager Dani Shepherd said the commitment shown by this year’s group was a highlight of the school. 

“The National Lifeguard School is about developing lifeguards who can lead, adapt and perform in the most challenging conditions. This year’s candidates arrived with strong foundations and a real willingness to be challenged. Seeing every one of them achieve the Advanced Lifeguard Award is a credit to their commitment and to the instructors who support them through this demanding programme.” 

All candidates successfully achieved their Advanced Lifeguard Award and now return to their clubs with advanced skills to support their teams through the peak summer lifeguarding season.

In addition, Kayden Grant from Taylors Mistake SLSC was named as the Top Candidate for 2025.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand congratulates the following graduates: 

Surf Life Saving New Zealand also thanks the volunteer instructors, mentors and event crew who supported delivery of the school, and acknowledges the ongoing support of the 21 Club, who proudly support the Advanced Lifeguard Award.