Surf Life Saving Canterbury

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni, and as it is afternoon [sign].

I then specifically greet you: Your Worship Bob Harvey, President of Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Mayor of Waitakere City; Grant Florence, Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving New Zealand; Dave Price and Wally Wilson, President and Chairman respectively of Surf Life Saving Canterbury; Southern Ocean Athlete competitors; Distinguished Guests otherwise, Ladies and Gentlemen.

As joint Patrons of Surf Life Saving New Zealand, it was with pleasure that my wife Susan and I accepted the invitation to both attend the annual Southern Ocean Athletes Competition Award Ceremony here at New Brighton Beach and participate in the presentation of the awards.

I should mention our family connection to the Surf Life Saving movement in that Susan’s brother, Owen Sharpe, and his three sons are all long time members of the Piha Surf Life Saving Club.

This event brings about the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those who have performed to an exceptional standard in the competition, earning a first, second or third placing. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate those that have, in preparation, trained tirelessly to compete in this competition, regardless of the outcome.

Although many of you have been here in a competitive context, you may also have a goal to complete your Surf Lifeguard Award which allows you to become part of your respective club’s Lifeguard patrol team.

This is an admirable goal. New Zealand has some 15,000 km of coastline  and most people live within an hour’s drive of the sea. We are a nation with a love for outdoor recreation with one of the main forms, particularly in summer, being a day spent at the beach.

As the New Zealand author, Maurice Shadbolt so aptly put it: “New Zealand begins with the sea and ends with the sea. Understand this and you begin to comprehend New Zealand and the New Zealander. The thundering surf is our frontier.”

Surf lifeguards are essential to the safety of New Zealanders enjoying time in the sea. Over the 100 years of Surf Living New Zealand and its associated clubs, thousands of lives have been saved by those surf lifeguards that patrol our beaches.

The protection of human life, whether that be rescuing in heavy surf or in patrolling swimming areas, is not without its dangers, including putting your own life in danger to save another. The psychological and physical demands are great and competitions like this are essential for developing those skills in a safe environment.

I was pleased to learn that the Southern Ocean Athletes Competition is an event that focuses on the development of upcoming leaders who will one day be patrolling our country’s beaches. I am also told that this event is primarily run by 17 to 20 year olds who are supporting these upcoming athletes and at the same time giving back to the surf life saving movement.

Having looked at the event programme, there are a considerable amount of events that have taken place over the past day and a half. I am sure that it requires not only hard work on the day, but additionally weeks of preparation. I therefore congratulate all of those who have been part of the competition’s success and smooth running.

I take this opportunity to thank the young people here today for their commitment to becoming a lifeguard. Your passion for others and dedication to the preservation of human life allows others to enjoy our remarkable coastline.

Later this year, this Club, along with Surf Life Saving New Zealand, will celebrate the centenary of the Surf Life Saving movement in this country. The young winners of today’s awards have shown the finest qualities of those early pioneers, namely: willpower; initiative, courage, knowledge of your subject, self-discipline and ambition.

I believe that all that have participated in the various events in this competition have demonstrated these qualities. You are leaders in your own right and will be looked up to by those that follow.

This then brings me to the presentation of a number of awards for outstanding achievement in the Southern Ocean Athletes Competition.

But before I do, I will close in our country's first language, Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.