SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Canterbury/Tasman Awards of Excellence

SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Canterbury/Tasman Awards of Excellence   

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of the Canterbury Awards of Excellence. The 2025/26 winners were announced on Saturday, 9 May, at a function held at The Piano in Christchurch. 

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 spent watching over people on our beaches, but also those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, training current and future surf lifesavers, managing administration, and coaching and participating in surf lifesaving sport.   

SLSNZ Southern Region Manager Stu Bryce said, “The awards were an opportunity to acknowledge the vital work carried out by volunteers throughout the season. As acknowledged tonight, our members continue to demonstrate incredible dedication, often in challenging conditions, to ensure the safety of others. These awards reflect their hard work and commitment to our communities.”      

Flynn McGuinness won this year’s coveted DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award from Taylors Mistake Surf Life Saving Club. 

Helena Cook, Southern Region Lifesaving Manager, said, “His contributions as a Lifeguard, Patrol Captain, IRB Driver, RWC Operator, SLA Instructor, SLA Probationary Examiner, SAR member, Rock Instructor, Event Water Safety, Junior Surf Coach, and Rookie Lifeguard Coach have had an incredible benefit on our region. He was a Head Instructor for the Intermediate Lifeguard School and also attended the National Lifeguard School in a logistics role. Lifesaving aside, he trained and competed as a Surf Sports Athlete, going on to win gold at the Aon National Life Saving National Championships, and then travelled to Australia to compete there as well. His contribution to both sport and lifesaving is an admirable effort, and he is highly deserving of winning DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year.” 

This year’s Sportswoman of the Year, Chloe Jorgensen, has continued her dominance from the junior age groups and brought her A-game into the senior ranks. Dylan Neal-Hill, Southern Sports Manager, said, “Chloe is a generational talent. Making the U17 Performance Squad for the second year in a row is no easy feat, and it reflects the hard work, discipline, and grit she brings to her training and racing. She has continued to prove herself as one of the best up-and-coming surf sport athletes in the country. Chloe is definitely an athlete everyone should keep an eye on in the coming years.”   

This year’s recipient of Sportsman of the Year, Tiago Chamberlain, has once again had a dominant season. Southern Sports Manager, Dylan Neal-Hill, said, “Tiago has again proven himself as one of the best ski paddlers in the country. He has successfully stepped up to the Open division this season, claiming 2nd place in his first year racing in the Open division, an outstanding achievement. He also started the season strongly by representing New Zealand at the Battle of the Tasman, where he achieved multiple high placings across the ski events. Tiago continues to show his quality, consistency, and competitiveness at the highest level.” 

The highly anticipated NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year Award was won by Dean Le Warne, North Beach Surf Life Saving Club. 

Amy Philip, Canterbury/Tasman Club Support Lead, said, “Dean is one in a million. He exemplifies outstanding leadership at North Beach SLSC and in Southern Region”. He balances numerous roles such as Club Captain, Canterbury IRB Chief Examiner, a Junior Surf Coach, an Official, IRB racer, Patrol Captain, probationary RWC instructor, and just about anything else you can think of. Dean's extensive involvement in all branches of SLS makes him an incredibly knowledgeable and valuable volunteer”. 

The Canterbury Awards of Excellence brought together Nelson, Rarangi, Kotuku, Buller, Waikuku, Spencer Park, Waimairi, North Beach, New Brighton, South Brighton, Sumner and Taylors Mistake Surf Life Saving clubs. 

 Full list of winners:  

DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year   

Flynn McGuinness, Taylors Mistake SLSC 

DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year   

Lucy Ryan, Spencer Park SLSC 

DHL Patrol Support of the Year   

Ben Isles, Sumner SLSC 

bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year   

Andrew Jensen, New Brighton SLSC  

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year   

Tim Harris, Spencer Park SLSC 

bp Rescu4 Januaryar  

4th January 2026, Taylors Mistake SLSC 

Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year  

James Feathery, Taylors Mistake SLSC   

Toyota Financial Services Surf Sportswoman of the Year   

Chloe Jorgensen, South Brighton SLSC 

Toyota Financial Services Surf Sportsman of the Year  

Tiago Chamberlain, Taylors Mistake  

Aon Surf Sports Official of the Year   

Tess Ah Kuoi, South Brighton  

Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year   

Taylors Mistake SLSC Open Female Ski Relay Team – Lucy Stroud, Ruby Hikuroa, Natasha MacGibbon  

Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year (Large Craft)  

Sumner Open Women’s IRB Team- Jade Couch, Leanni Browne, Matilda Atkins 

Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year   

Russell Connor, North Beach SLSC 

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year   

Riki Fahey, North Beach SLSC 

Junior Surf Coach of the Year   

Jonelle Quane, Sumner SLSC 

Paid Lifeguard of the Year  

Luke Wenham, Sumner SLSC 

Beach Education Instructor of the Year  

Tiana Purdon, Waimairi SLSC  

Rookie Lifeguard of the Year  

Brooklyn Lomax, South Brighton SLSC  

Instructor of the Year   

Zeke De Gouw, Spencer Park SLSC 

Examiner of the Year  

Aogan McGuinness, Waimairi SLSC 

NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year   

Dean Le Warne, North Beach SLSC  

Read the full Awards of Excellence Winners Book