Club Awards Night, Celebrating the 2024 – 2025 Season

What a way to wrap up the season!
We rolled out the red carpet to celebrate the incredible people who make our club what it is – surf lifeguards, rookies, sport athletes, instructors, officials, Board members, and the many volunteers working behind the scenes. And now the photos are here!

From glittering outfits and heartfelt moments to the boatie crew’s hilarious take on formal wear (blazers, ties… and speedos!), it was a night full of laughs, connection, and recognition.

Major honours on the night included:

•Nick Wagstaff – Lifeguard of the Year and Patrol Captain of the Year

•Karli Armstrong – Junior Lifeguard of the Year

•Chiara Woodford – Instructor of the Year and Runner-Up Lifeguard of the Year

• Christiaan Maarhuis – recipient of the Butler Family Trophy, presented by Dennis and Carole Butler – recognising outstanding leadership and contribution across surf lifesaving and sport

We also proudly celebrated many others across a range of categories:

Sports Awards

• Commitment to Training – Connor Miller

• Attitude to Sport and Training – Georgia Walter

• Top Individual Achievement – Christiaan Maarhuis

• Future Star – Max Morley

• Official of the Year – Fiona Swain

• Official of the Year Runner Up – Meredith Miller

• President’s Cup – Coastbusters (Jake Armstrong, Caleb Stephens, Karli Armstrong & Georgie Brown)

Rookie Awards

• Rob Roy Best Rookie Cadet – Jack Kayes

• Rookie Lifeguard – Zac Armstrong

• Rookie Mentor – Karli Armstrong

Lifesaving Awards

• Most Promising IRB Crew Person – Georgia Walter

• Runner Up IRB Crew Person – Tianna Macdonald

• Most Promising IRB Driver – Aidan Butler

• Runner Up IRB Driver – Lili Miller

• IRB Rookie of the Year – Byron McIntyre

• Search & Rescue – Outstanding Dedication – Andrew Cochrane

Lifesaving Awards (continued)

• Instructor of the Year – Chiara Woodford

• Patrol Captain of the Year – Nick Wagstaff

• Rescue of the Year – Chloe Poulter (PC), Karli Armstrong, Lili Miller, Helena Brown

Lifesaving Supreme Awards

• Butler Family Trophy – Christiaan Maarhuis

• Spark Merit Shield (Most Improved Lifeguarding & Sport) – Millie Watson

• McLaughlin Shield U19 Sport & Lifeguarding Achievement – Luke Butler

• Junior Lifeguard of the Year Finalists – Ethan Mountfort, Karli Armstrong, Helena Brown, Lili Miller, Aidan Butler

• Runner-Up Junior Lifeguard – Ethan Mountfort

Junior Lifeguard of the Year – Karli Armstrong

• Senior Lifeguard Finalists – Nick Wagstaff, Chiara Woodford, Luc Rochat, Chloe Poulter

• Runner-Up Lifeguard of the Year – Chiara Woodford

Lifeguard of the Year – Nick Wagstaff

Service & Support Awards

• Ambassador Award – Luc Rochat

• Club Service Awards – Maddie Schnackenberg, Jess Meade, Rian Butler

• Club Distinguished Service – Maddie Scown, Ella Higgins, Natalie Lloyd

• The Deck Support Award – Mark Armstrong

Fun Awards

Stirrer of the Year – Ethan Mountfort

Blooper of the Year – Zarah Higgins and Rosie Swain

A massive thank you to everyone who contributed this season – whether you patrolled, trained others, hauled gear, ran events, officiated, or supported from the sidelines. You are what makes this place special.

Special thanks to Melissa Jones, Events and Promotions Coordinator for Waihī Beach, for capturing the evening so beautifully and generously acting as our event photographer.
Check out the full album here