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David Unwin / Things
Olivia Harding won Under-19 Lifeguard of the Year, Callum McKenzie won Lifeguard of the Year, and Anna Harding won Surf Officer of the Year.
Despite having few lifeguards and struggling to patrol its own beach for just 18 months, Foxton Surf Life Saving Club wins top honors.
Last year the club only had enough lifeguards to patrol its own beach, and previous years were not possible.
Despite this, the club achieved three wins in the awards for excellence in the Capital and Coast region, which covers the lower part of the north island.
Callum McKenzie, 21, won Lifeguard of the Year, Olivia Harding, 18, won Lifeguard of the Year U19 and Anna Harding, 18, won Officer of the Year.
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David Unwin / Things
Foxton Surf Life Saving Club currently has around 246 members and 20 lifeguards.
Foxton Surf Life Saving Club president Daniel Cudby said the club had some talented youngsters and was proud of the trio’s accomplishments.
“These guys are the guys who are on our board in five years and they keep the club going.”
Cudby said the awards weren’t just about what happened on the beach and covered everything, including volunteer hours and community engagement.
The volunteers spent many hours dedicated to saving lives, with two or three nights a week and the weekend in the club, the pool or training between November and March.
The Foxton Surf Life Saving Club had around 246 members and 20 lifeguards.
He was in the process of training new first responders and was diversifying and attracting members from Palmerston North.
“We look good going into the season. Quite positive, and we have the ability to patrol our own beach, ”Cudby said.
Twins Olivia and Anna Harding started surfing saving lives when they were 7 years old. They were part of the nipper program until they were 14 when they became lifeguards.
Olivia Harding said she was very happy for the award and recognition of the hard work she had done in what she thought was a good season.
Anna Harding was the youngest in her category for decades and was shocked but honored to win Officer of the Year.
Callum McKenzie started surfing saving lives when he was four years old and was already a member of the club’s board of directors.
“I didn’t expect to win,” he said.
The awards recognized the work of volunteers at lifeguard surf clubs in the lower North Island, including; Palmerston North, Riversdale, Foxton, Waitarere, Otaki, Paekakariki, Titahi Bay, Maranui, Lyall Bay, and Worser Bay.
Central Region Manager Charlie Cordwell said the awards recognize the important contribution so many lifeguards make to keeping the nation’s beaches safe.
“It is wonderful that we can recognize some of those who have made a particular contribution, but it is equally important to remember that supporting them are clubs filled with volunteers who give their time to keep the public safe.”
The Surf Life Saving NZ Excellence Awards are held each year in each surfing region that saves lives to recognize and celebrate the many club members who dedicate considerable time, effort and skills.
Foxton’s trio now qualify for the National Awards of Excellence, which will take place on September 19.
