Omanu Lifeguard Haven Bellamy Has Achieved the Highest Award When It Comes to Lifeguarding in New Zealand.
The 25 year-old gained his Advanced Lifeguard Award while attending Surf Life Saving New Zealand's National Lifeguard
School in Taranaki last weekend. Of the 19 lifeguards who took part, Haven gained the top candidate award for the
school.
He was presented with a plaque on behalf of the 21 Club from Todd Velvin and a rescue tube by Surf Life Saving New
Zealand president Brian Velvin.
Haven says he found the course really pushed him out of his comfort zone, not just physically but mentally as well.
“I really enjoyed being at a different beach with people I had never met or worked with before. My team and I became
quite a tightknit unit by the end even though we started off as complete strangers. It was a great networking experience
and I truly have made friends for life; we constantly shared stories and experiences which was really eye opening as we
all come from different backgrounds,” he says.
One of his highlights for the weekend was the advanced Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) training, learning to navigate
around rocks in quite a different environment to what he’s used to at Omanu Beach, along with the rescue helicopter
work.
Earning the honour of top candidate means a lot not just to him, but his club too, he says.
“I am honoured to receive this award and it will inspire the next generation of lifeguards from my club who follow on
behind me. I'm very proud of my achievement and I will definitely not be stopping here,” he says.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand member development manager Belinda Slement says Haven demonstrated exceptional leadership
skills, team work, IRB driving and rock rescue skills, general fitness and showed a positive attitude throughout the
three day school.
“We had 19 of New Zealand’s best lifeguards taking part this year. They all have to be at a really high level just to be
selected for National Lifeguard School so topping the list is an outstanding achievement that Haven should be incredibly
proud of,” she says.
Throughout the weekend they were tested both mentally and physically on a number of tasks from advanced IRB training,
rock swimming, helicopter jumps, search and rescue and patrol scenarios.
Ms Slement says Fitzroy was a fantastic location to host the school, providing many opportunities for learning and
development both in and out of the water.
“We had hot sunny weather all weekend and observed all of the candidates working hard to challenge themselves and
develop their lifeguarding skills,” she says.
Part of Surf Life Saving's partnership with Zespri, which was formed last year, sees a number of scholarships available
for the annual National Lifeguard School to cover the user-pays component of the course cost for Eastern Region
candidates.
This year, eight of the 19 candidates came from Surf Life Saving’s Eastern Region.
Zespri General Manager Grower & External Relations Dave Courtney says they're proud to support this year's candidates including Haven, Donal Boyle,
Liam McGovern and Gabriel Puckey-Brockelsby from Omanu, Xavier Murphy and Nicholas Bodenstein from Pauanui, Joanne Parry
from Pukehina and Nick Wagstaff from Waihi Beach.
"Providing free training for local lifeguards is our way of recognising the everyday heroes who do so much for our
communities, keeping our beaches safer for everyone to enjoy."
Pauanui’s Xavier Murphy says National Lifeguard School was amazing and it pushed the candidates to challenge not only
what they think but also how they lifeguard through a mixture of theory and practical sessions.
“My highlight was getting to jump out of the rescue helicopter- it was the most exciting thing I've done through surf
lifesaving,” he says.
Xavier says being one of the Zespri scholarship recipients was an honour.
“It made me feel stoked that they were willing to support me to train at what I love to do so I am able to be more
effective at saving lives on the beach,” he says.
ENDS
For more information about the National Lifeguard School, click here and to view photos from the weekend, click here.