Jamie McDell appointed official ambassador

LIFE SAVER: While her music takes off, Jamie McDell keeps her feet firmly on the ground.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has appointed Mangawhai singer and songwriter Jamie McDell as an official ambassador.

Jamie McDell has always surrounded herself with the simpler things in life, like music, and the ocean. From surfing to diving to living on a sailboat in the Mediterranean for a number of years as a child, the shark-obsessed, dolphin-possessed water baby never strays too far from the beach, or her guitar. 

She is currently completing her Surf Lifeguard Award course at Mangawhai and Pauanui and is proud to have the honour of association with a cause so dear to her heart.

“I've been around the water my entire life and been able to see the hard work lifeguards put in. Now, finally, I'll be getting my award myself to do as much as I can to help the cause and keep our beaches safe.”

SLSNZ is a national association representing 73 Surf Life Saving Clubs in New Zealand. Jamie McDell will be their first musical ambassador in the history of the association and will represent the organisation at a variety of events. 

Surf Life Saving has been an active part of local communities and an iconic presence at New Zealand beaches for over 100 years. Every year, an average of 1000 rescues take place at beaches throughout New Zealand, and the majority of those rescues and services are provided to beach-goers by volunteer Lifeguards. 

SLSNZ CEO Paul Dalton says he is delighted to welcome Jamie as an ambassador for the organisation. 

“Jamie’s love of the beach is evident and it’s great to have someone with her level of enthusiasm representing our members who are all very passionate about Surf Life Saving and keeping our communities safe in the water.” 

SLSNZ will be the charity partner at this year’s annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park concert series. Jamie’s Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park performances come just after the release of her highly anticipated debut album Six Strings And A Sailboat which went straight to number 1 on the iTunes chart on the day of its release. 

One of the most awaited releases of 2012 by one of New Zealand’s brightest young stars, the 13 track album features the number one NZ singles You’ll Never Take That Away, Rewind and her new single Life In Sunshine.

It has been a whirlwind year with a meteoric rise for the singer-songwriter. With comparisons to American sweetheart Taylor Swift, Jamie McDell’s songs are unashamedly pop and undoubtedly some of the country’s best loved. 

Follow Jamie McDell on facebook, twitter, and YouTube.