Winners of the Coromandel and BOP Awards of Excellence

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Awards of Excellence. The 2024/25 winners were announced on Saturday 26 July 2025 at a function held at the Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club.

The annual Awards of Excellence recognise and celebrate the skill and commitment of surf lifeguards who make a meaningful contribution towards saving lives, developing great New Zealanders, and keeping beachgoers safer. That mahi not only includes the hours watching over people on our beaches, but also those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes training current and future surf lifeguards, managing administration, and coaching and participating in surf lifesaving sport.

SLSNZ Eastern Regional Manager Avan Polo, said, “The awards were about recognising the people who make a real difference in our communities. These lifeguards and volunteers give their time to keep others safe, and it’s great to be able to thank them properly. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees – you’ve earned it, and we’re proud of everything you do for our beaches and clubs.”

This year’s coveted DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award was won by Nicholas Wagstaff, from Waihī Beach Lifeguard Service, and Ryan Hohneck from Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club.
Lucy Scown, Waihī Beach Lifeguard Service’s Lifeguard Director, said, "Nick’s leadership and dedication to volunteer lifesaving are outstanding. He’s streamlined training, delivered key modules, and ensured our guards are always rescue-ready. His commitment to building club culture and supporting others’ development makes him an invaluable member of our team at Waihī Beach"

Speaking of Ryan, Sandra Boubee, Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club’s Lifeguard Committee member, said "Ryan is the kind of lifeguard who brings people together. He’s approachable, calm, and supportive – someone everyone feels comfortable around. Whether mentoring rookies, chatting with parents, or backing his fellow lifeguards, Ryan’s warmth and humility shine through. His presence strengthens our club’s culture and community, making him not only a skilled lifeguard but a truly respected and well-loved member."

Overall Club of the Year winners, Ōmanu Beach Surf Lifesaving Club & Waihī Beach Lifeguard Service both took out the top awards for Coromandel and Bay of Plenty respectfully.

Donna Pfefferle, Waihī Beach Lifeguard Service Chairperson, said "Saturday night was a fantastic celebration, and I want to thank all the incredible volunteers at Waihī Beach who helped make it such a success. Receiving the Coromandel Club of the Year award was a proud moment, and it reflects the energy, commitment, and teamwork you all bring to the club. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed – on behalf of the board and our members, thank you. We’re excited for the season ahead and ready to build on this momentum."

The Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Awards of Excellence brought together Hot Water Beach, Tairua, Pauanui, Onemana, Whangamatā, Whiritoa, Waihī Beach, Mount Maunganui, Ōmanu, Pāpāmoa, Maketū, Pukehina, Whakatanē and Ōpōtiki Surf Life Saving clubs.

Full list of Eastern Region Lifesaving winners:

Rookie Lifeguard of the Year

Charlie Richardson – Ōmanu SLSC

Full list of Coromandel Lifesaving winners:

DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year
Nicholas Wagstaff, Waihī Beach LS

DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year
Toby Low, Tairua SLSC

DHL Patrol Support of the Year
Philip Marks, Onemana SLSC

bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year
Jock Rosie, Pauanui SLSC

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year
Andrew Cochrane, Waihī Beach LS

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year
Tayla Clark, Onemana SLSC

Instructor of the Year
Bella Muir, Tairua SLSC

Beach Education Instructor of the Year
Ruth Kayes, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Paid Lifeguard of the Year
Luc Rochat, Waihī Beach LS

Examiner of the Year
Ella Toumadj, Whangamatā SLSC

Patrol Captain of the Year
Nicholas Wagstaff, Waihī Beach LS

NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year
Kevin Thorburn, Onemana SLSC

Coromandel Patrol Club of the Year

Hot Water Beach LS

Coromandel Overall Club of the Year 

Waihī Beach LS

Full list of Bay of Plenty Lifesaving winners:

DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year
Ryan Hohneck, Pāpāmoa SLSC

DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year
Freddie Mitchell, Mount Maunganui LS

DHL Patrol Support of the Year
Jeanette MacDiarmid, Maketū SLSC

bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year
Dennis Mundy, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year
Ryan Hohneck, Pāpāmoa SLSC

bp Rescue of the Year
Maketū SLSC – January Rescue

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year
Andrew Friedlieb, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Instructor of the Year
Donal Boyle, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Beach Education Instructor of the Year
Rebecca Cowley, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Paid Lifeguard of the Year
Ross Cowdrey, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Examiner of the Year
Mereheni Meads, Maketū SLSC

Patrol Captain of the Year
Donal Boyle, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year
Caroline Trapski, Maketū SLSC

Bay of Plenty Patrol Club of the Year

Pāpāmoa SLSC

Bay of Plenty Overall Club of the Year

Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Full list of Coromandel & Bay of Plenty Lifesaving Sport winners:

Volunteer Coach of the Year
Matthew Strange, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Emerging Coach of the Year
Danielle Richards, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year
Cory Hutchings, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Toyota Financial Services Surf Sportsperson of the Year
Madison Kidd, Whangamatā SLSC

Emerging Surf Sports Official of the Year
Stephanie Mardon, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Aon Surf Sports Official of the Year
Joanne Miller, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year
U17 Male Line Throw - Lockie Cairns & Oliver Pepers, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year
Flynn Weatherall, Ōmanu Beach SLSC

Coaches Commitment Award
Holly Warden, Whangamatā SLSC

Steve Bird, Mount Maunganui LS
Travis Carnegie, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Oliver Pepers, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Athlete of the Year
Alyssa Tapper, Whangamatā SLSC
Braith Swanberg, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Danielle Richards, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Gus Shivnan, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
India-Rose Scholes, Mount Maunganui LS
Naomi Davoren, Pāpāmoa SLSC
Oli Hansen, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Owen Miller, Pāpāmoa SLSC
Pipi Te Pania, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Quinn Murdoch, Ōmanu Beach SLSC
Simiosi Tukia, Waihī Beach LS
Tristan Lim-Yock, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Full list of Regional Service Award Recipients:

Andrew Callaway, Pukehina SR

Grant Mitchell, Mount Maunganui LS

Jason Rive, Pukehina SR

Joshua Russell, Pukehina SR

Radleigh Cairns, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Gabriella Hughes, Tairua SLSC

Michael O’Neill, Mount Maunganui LS

Full list of Regional Distinguished Service Award Recipients:

Donna Pfefferle, Waihī Beach LS

Maddie Scown, Waihī Beach LS

Poppy Crouch, Pāpāmoa SLSC

Robynne Cabusao, Pāpāmoa SLSC