Awards of Excellence Highlight Outstanding Local Talent

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Media release – Hawkes Bay
16 May 2011
Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence Highlight Outstanding Local Talent

The Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa’s top Surf Lifeguards were honoured on Saturday night during the region’s annual Awards of Excellence celebrations.

The awards, which included Lifeguarding, Surf Sports, Coaching and Volunteer categories, were all hotly contested with the region producing Surf Life Saving stars on both the New Zealand and international stage.

Pacific Surf Life Saving Club featured prominently in this year’s awards ceremony, taking home the two prestigious titles of Lifeguard of the Year and Rescue of the Year. Emma Hubbard, 23, was awarded Lifeguard of the Year for her exceptional commitment to her role of Director of Lifeguarding and her strong leadership skills which built capacity in the club.

Danyon Spiller, 15, received the Rescue of the Year Award for his outstanding rescue of a young boy who was struggling in large surf on Marine Parade Beach. Danyon, a newly qualified Lifeguard who was off duty at the time, raced to the boy’s rescue supporting him in the water for 20 minutes before a rescue tube was brought to him, allowing him to safely return the youngster to shore.

Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club won the grand title of Club of the Year 2011 and well respected committee member Jane Thackray was presented with Volunteer of the Year, awarded to her for an amazing 206 Lifeguarding hours on the beach and her dedication and commitment to training and support of the Club and members.

Members of Westshore Surf Life Saving Club cleaned up the sports awards taking home the top accolade for Outstanding Sports Person of the Year won by Daniel Moodie, 23, and Coach of the Year awarded to Chris Swain. Ocean Beach Kiwi also made a huge resurgence on the sporting front this year to finish within 10 points of Westshore and claiming many Hawkes Bay Championship Titles.

Graeme Ward and Phil Harman both from Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club also won esteemed awards; Graeme was named Surf Official of the Year and Phil, Instructor of the Year.

David Beattie, Club Development Officer the Hawkes Bay Region said, “We are hugely proud of all our winners and would like to congratulate them for their tremendous efforts this year. Surf Life Saving New Zealand is grateful for all the work they do to help prevent drowning and injury on Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa beaches and it is fantastic to be able to recognise them.”

Last season Hawkes Bay Surf Lifeguards provided over 13,046 hours of patrols, performed 52 rescues, administered 123 first aids and conducted 14 searches. They also performed 7553 preventative actions involving 19,338 people.

Full results:

Most Outstanding Beach Athlete - Male | Evigney Drokonos – Ocean Beach Kiwi
Most Outstanding Beach Athlete - Female | Rebecca Sheppard – Ocean Beach Kiwi
Legend Ironwoman - All Ages | Nikki Cox - Westshore
Legend Ironman - All Ages | Daniel Moodie (2nd place world titles)
Carroll Cup - Open Ironman Aggregate (Male) | Hamish Beattie - Westshore
Open Ironwoman Aggregate (Female) | Katie Moodie and Jess Berridge as joint winners
Humes Cup - Most Improved Athlete | Cian Jefferson - Westshore
DHL Outstanding Sport Person / Team Performance - Dickson Cup | Daniel Moodie - Westshore
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Surf | Neil Galland - Westshore
Outstanding Contribution to Power Craft | Kim Nilsson - Waimarama
Bart Dennehy Trophy – Most Surf Awards and Surf Instructors awards | Westshore
Most IRB Awards | Riversdale
DHL Innovation of the year | Pacific, Lifeguard Bicycles
DHL Coach of the Year | Chris Swain - Westshore
BP Rescue of the Year | Danyon Spiller - Pacific
DHL Surf Official of the Year | Graeme Ward - Waimarama
DHL Volunteer of the Year - Durrand Cup | Jane Thackery - Riversdale
DHL Instructor of the Year | Phil Harman - Waimarama
NZLGB Lifeguard of the Year - Tremains Shield | Emma Hubbard - Pacific
Club of the Year | Riversdale

ENDS

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