Wainui members celebrate after being named Club of the Year and Patrol Club of the Year at the 2024/2025 SLSNZ Gisborne Tairawhiti Awards of Excellence on Friday. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell
Wainui members celebrate after being named Club of the Year and Patrol Club of the Year at the 2024/2025 SLSNZ Gisborne Tairawhiti Awards of Excellence on Friday. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell
Wainui Surf Life Saving Club picked up the two major awards and Waikanae’s Connor Mitchell collected several individual prizes at the SLSNZ Gisborne/Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence.
The 2024/25 award winners were announced on Friday night in a function at the Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae clubrooms.
“The annual Awards of Excellence recogniseand celebrate the skill and commitment of surf lifeguards who make a meaningful contribution towards saving lives, developing great New Zealanders and keeping beachgoers safer,” Surf Life Saving NZ eastern regional manager Avan Polo said.
“We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and passion shown by all our volunteers.”
Riversun Wainui won the big one, Club of the Year, and was also named top patrol club.
“I’m really proud of our all team,” Wainui club president Adam Glenister said. “You’ve got to have a great club with a good culture. All that sort of stuff is important.
“A big shout out to our older members – our masters. Their drive and enthusiasm brought a lot to the club this past summer.
“We are thrilled to have received these awards and we look forward to building and continuing the momentum we have as a club.”
The DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award was won by Ana Naden from Waikanae for the fourth year in a row.
Waikanae's Ana Naden received the Lifeguard of the Year award for the fourth year in a row, along with a Regional Service Award. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell
“Ana’s leadership, dedication and teamwork were exceptional this past season,” Waikanae club manager Clara Wilson said.
“She leads by example, uplifts her team and consistently goes above and beyond to keep our beach safe. We’re proud to have her as a member of our club.”
Clubmate Connor Mitchell received a string of awards – Contribution of the Year, Safety Contribution of the Year, Volunteer Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
He was also honoured with Regional Service and Distinguished Service awards, and Naden also received a Regional Service Award.
Waikanae's Connor Mitchell received a string of awards in a range of categories, including Volunteer of the Year, and Regional Service and Distinguished Service awards. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell
“Connor’s contribution to our club and the wider surf lifesaving community has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Wilson said.
“His leadership, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to safety have set a new benchmark.
“Whether mentoring others, leading in challenging conditions, or driving innovation in powercraft, Connor leads with humility and purpose,” she said.
“We are incredibly proud to see his efforts recognised across multiple awards. He truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism and excellence.”
Mitchell said he was ecstatic and humbled to be recognised.
