Lifeguard awards of excellence

IN ACTION: Competing at the national surf lifesaving championships in January were Waikanae clubmates Silke McNaught, Oliver Shivnan and Connor Mitchell in the IRB single rescue event. The efforts of the district's surf lifesavers will be celebrated at an awards ceremony tonight.

The Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence will be presented tonight, recognising the top rescues and sporting achievements of Gisborne and East Coast surf lifeguards in the past year.

The awards acknowledge lifeguards across Uawa Tiaki Tai-Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae, Midway and Ngāti Porou surf lifesaving clubs.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern regional manager Avan Polo has congratulated all the finalists.

“Their efforts and achievements in sport and lifesaving have been a stand-out, especially in light of challenges presented by Covid-19.

“I'm impressed by their resilience and determination to carry on regardless and their ability to excel despite the often difficult conditions.”

The rescue of the year finalists include the Character Roofing emergency callout squad for a rescue they did last year, and the Tolaga Bay paid guards for a rescue they carried out by the mouth of the Uawa River in December.

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