Seven Western Bay of Plenty surf life savers have been named as finalists in this year's Surf Life Saving New Zealand Awards of Excellence.
Thomas Yule from Omanu and Christiaan Maarhuis from Waihi Beach are finalists for the Lifeguard of the Year; Naomi Davoren from Papamoa is up for DHB Volunteer of the Year; Gary King from Mount Maunganui and Eden Bray from Whangamata are listed for State Insurance Instructor of the Year; Ross Merrett from Papamoa is up for DHL Surf Official of the Year; and Justin Martin from Papamoa is a finalists for DHL Coach of the Year
Some of New Zealand's most elite Surf Lifeguards and members will be recognised for their dedication on New Zealand's beaches this weekend at a formal awards ceremony held in Wellington on Saturday.
Most awards are nominated locally with winners becoming finalists for the national Awards of Excellence.
Every year, national and local awards are given to Surf Life Saving members to officially recognise them for their hard work and dedication to Surf Life Saving in New Zealand.
TV presenter Stephen McIvor will MC for the event at Amora Hotel.
Along with the lifeguarding and sporting awards, there will be a number of Service Awards presented on the night and these will be announced this week.
We are pleased to announce the following award finalists:
NZLGB Lifeguard of the Year
· Zane Rademaker, United North Piha
· Thomas Yule, Omanu
· Christiaan Maarhuis, Waihi Beach
· Samuel Teteina, Midway
· Aidan Charman, Westshore
· Scott Busing, East End
· David Clarke, Palmerston North
· Kate Suter, Sumner
· Paige Newman, Brighton
DHL Volunteer of the Year
· Malcolm Beattie, Sunset Beach
· Naomi Davoren, Papamoa
· Rob Ford, Tairua
· Tracy Low, Wainui
· Anne Cooper, Pacific
· Vaughan Garrett, New Plymouth
· Paul Carlyon, Otaki
· Tisha Bradley, Taylors Mistake
· Tarn Neuman, Warrington
BP Rescue of the Year
· Kariaotahi
· Raglan
· Whangarei Heads
· Taranaki Callout Squad
· Westshore
· Muriwai and Northern Region
State Insurance Instructor of the Year
· Jessica Reilly, Raglan
· Gary King, Mount Maunganui
· Eden Bray, Whangamata
· Diego Pedrioli, Midway
· Brian Quirk, Westshore
· Michael Corkill, Opunake
· Nick Mulcahy, Titahi Bay
· Bruce Lomax, South Brighton
· Seth McPhee, Brighton
Innovation of the Year
· Raglan: solar roof panels
· Thomas Yule, Omanu: K9 rescue dogs
· Waihi Beach: holiday programme
· Ngati Porou: community based surf lifesaving practices, including roving patrol
· Simon Kay, Pacific: Surf Education song
· Fitzroy: Woodgroup PSN first aid partnership
· Foxton: patrol camera
DHL Surf Official of the Year
· Wayne Franich, Orewa
· Ross Merrett, Papamoa
· Debbie Hutchings, Waikanae
· Harley McLaughlin, Waimarama
· Carol McLeod, Fitzroy
· Natasha Perkins, Paekakariki
· Lawrence Taylor, Sumner
· Swannee Taiawa, Brighton
DHL Coach of the Year
· Steven Ferguson, Piha
· Justin Martin, Papamoa
· Matt Sutton, Midway
· Michael Harman, Waimarama
· Allan Rothwell, East End
· Walter Maxwell, Lyall Bay
· Jonelle Quane, Sumner
· Michael Trembath, St Clair
· Jason Pocock (Mairangi Bay) & Scott Bartlett (Omanu)