Surf club makes big awards splash

 

Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club celebrated three wins at the Northern Region Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence held at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on July 27.

The awards recognised outstanding work across the 17 clubs in the region.

Zac Browne-Hale won the Rookie of the Year, the third consecutive year Waipu Cove has won the prestigious award after Josh Baker in 2017 and Emily Stolwerk in 2018.

The club is justifiably proud of its rookie program.

Kath Manning won administrator of the year and the club won Innovation of the Year for their Beach Safety Education Tour of Northland’s unpatrolled beaches. 

The tour involved 11 lifeguards and four junior surf members travelling to five different locations around the North where there had previously been drownings, running rescue and first aid demonstrations, and junior surf games for kids.

“We are proud of our small club making such a big impact on surf life saving across the Northern region,” says Kath.

Pictured at the awards ceremony, from left, Julia Baker, Rick Stolwerk, Angela Stolwerk, Emily Stolwerk, Emma Baker, Sophia Baker, Zac Browne-Hale, Bill Hale, Sue Godfrey, Ian Godfrey. Front, Kath Manning, Tim Manning.