New Zealand aquatics professionals awarded at 2017 JAWS conference

A Papakura lifeguard, a lifeguarding team from Community Leisure Management (CLM) and facility managers Belgravia Leisure have been named as the recipients of this year’s top New Zealand aquatic industry awards.

Presented last week at a Gala Awards Dinner in Christchurch during the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA)'s Just Add Water Seminar (JAWS), the annual Aquatics Industry Awards aim to encourage development and recognition within the industry.

NZRA Chief Executive Andrew Leslie said this year’s winners demonstrated the best of what New Zealand had to offer in terms of community and team spirit, as well as innovation.

Leslie stated "this year’s winners are inspiring examples of what can be achieved in aquatics by individuals and organisations, for the benefit of our communities.”

The Lifeguard of the Year award went to Luisa Denton from Papakura’s CLM-managed Massey Park Pool, who her co-workers say has always exceeded the role of a lifeguard with her professionalism, leadership and can-do attitude and integrity.

The award is given to the lifeguard who has made the most significant contribution to their facility and to the aquatics industry.

Leslie added “Luisa deserves the Lifeguard of the Year award as she represents everything this award stands for.

"She has made an overwhelming contribution to her facility, the community of Papakura and the industry."

The Lifeguard Team of the Year award was presented to the Community Leisure Management team, champions of the Lifeguard Sports Competition, which took place at Jellie Park Recreation & Sport Centre in Christchurch just before the Seminar.

This year’s Aquatic Innovation Award went to Belgravia Leisure for their Aqua Artist Chinese Swimming Lessons program.

The initiative has opened up swimming as a great activity to a whole culture and group of people who normally would not have participated in swimming.

The Just Add Water Seminar was overshadowed by controversy when keynote speaker David Speechley, President of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers' Associations (IFSTA) suggested that lifeguards are under trained and overworked.

Image: Luisa Denton. Courtesy of YouTube.

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