Recreation Aotearoa Aquatics Awards presented to New Zealand’s Top Lifeguards

Recreation Aotearoa has revealed the winners of its 2019 Aquatics Awards presented last night during its annual Waves Conference in Queenstown.

Acknowledging the performance of lifeguards across New Zealand, Recreation present their annual Aquatics Industry Awards to encourage development and recognition within the industry.

The Awards saw Michelle Tetzlaff from Wanaka Pool named Lifeguard of the Year for making the most significant contribution to their facility and to the aquatics industry.

Tetzlaff’s colleagues at Wanaka Pool say that she is very dedicated and has a fantastic rapport with customers while frequent visitors to the pool have described her as “a breath of fresh air”, saying that the Pool wouldn’t be the same without her.

Clair Muirhead, Swim School Team Leader at the facility says "Michelle has this crazy way of making you smile even when you are having a bad day and she always goes above and beyond."

The Aquatic Innovation Award went to Drowning Prevention Auckland for their elearning platform - a New Zealand first.

The platform allows different audiences to learn 15 water competencies needed to be water safe. This knowledge will assist in the prevention of drowning and the platform will equip all New Zealanders to be safe in, on and around water.

Commenting on the platform, Recreation Aotearoa Aquatics Programme Manager, Tracey Prince-Puketapu stated “I am incredibly proud of the work that is taking place across New Zealand in the Aquatics Sector, we are really setting the standard for high-quality aquatic recreation.”

Merit awards were given to Alex Te Kowhai, Emily Robinson and Martin D’ Orso in the Lifeguard of the Year competition with the Lifeguard Team of the Year having been decided at the NZ Lifeguard Championships on Monday.

After a very close competition Kapiti Koastguards and CLM Raptors were declared the winners - the first time the event has ever ended in a draw.

Images: Members of the Kapiti Koastguards and CLM Raptors teams, joint winners in the 2019 NZ Lifeguard Championships (top) and Michelle Tetzlaff (below).