Newsletter End of Season (April 2026)
April 2026
Message from the President
End of season feedback
As it is the end of our Summer season it is a great opportunity to get some feedback from you all. Your voice is essential to ensuring we are hitting the mark with what we do.
Please let us know your thoughts by completing our questionnaire. This includes Lifeguards and parents/guardians of any members.
We have split feedback between Junior Surf and Lifeguards. Click the link relevant to you.
Club Clean-up Day and Lifeguard Meeting (18th April)
We are having a big club clean up day, Saturday 18th April from 8:45am till 1pm. A BBQ lunch will be provided.
We need helpers to check and clean all the gear at the Beach Base, the Tower Storage shed and the Containers. Our spaces and equipment need to be cleaned and stored ready for next season.
Where and when: Meet at Beach Base Tahunanui; 8.45am, Saturday 18th April
What to bring: Please bring a bucket, cleaning rag, & gloves
Lifeguard meeting: After lunch (at approx 2pm) we are having an end-of-season meeting with all Lifeguards and Patrol Captains at the Beach base. We will discuss:
Positives and Negatives for the season
Ideas on how we could improve the operation
Feedback on how the season went for both Junior Lifeguards, Senior Lifeguards and Patrol Captains
It would be awesome to have as many of you there as possible.
The heart of Surf Lifesaving in Nelson
For more than 60 years, Nelson Surf Lifesaving Club has protected our community — from beach patrols and flood rescues to Search & Rescue missions across the region.
Now, we’re building a permanent base to bring it all together — a true home for lifesaving, community, and youth.
We’ve raised $3.29 million of $4.9 million. The finish line is in sight — but we need your help to get there.
Success at IRB Nationals
What an incredible three days at the IRB Nationals in Gisborne for our Nelson Surf Life Saving club! 🌊💪
With 30 clubs competing from across Aotearoa, including two of the top teams from Australia, the competition was fierce—but our incredible wahine toa showed grit, determination, and strength every time they hit the water. As a smaller club, we are so proud to have punched well above our weight, finishing 8th overall on the points table 👏
Read more and view photos here
End of Season Training Update
It’s been a big year of training across the club, with more opportunities than ever and great uptake from across our membership.
This season we qualified 21 new Surf Lifeguards and two Patrol Support members, including a strong group of Junior Surf parents stepping up — a huge boost for our club.
A massive thank you to all instructors, examiners, coaches, and volunteers — with special mention to Ariana, Heidi, Aimee, Courtney, Jayd, Coe, Stu, and Brendon (Rārāngi).
Highlights:
Tasman Lifeguard Development Weekend — Patrol Captain training, refreshers, SAR & First Aid scenarios, and Rock Module at Cable Bay
Sam & Heidi – Outward Bound through Surf Life Saving NZ
Luca – Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Over winter, 20 clubbies completed Advanced First Aid, building skills that are making a real difference in our community.
👉 Coming up
🩺 Winter First Aid Training
Open to all clubbies wanting to build confidence in emergency response — dates coming soon.
🚤 IRB Crew & Driver Training
Kicking off again over Winter — a great pathway for those wanting to get involved in IRB operations and patrol support.
🌊 Outward Bound applications open
For active members ready to challenge themselves, build resilience, and grow leadership skills alongside others from around Aotearoa.
👉 Apply here: https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/outward-bound
📣 Coach Development Opportunity – FREE
NZ Certificate in Sport Coaching (Level 3) – Te Mahi Ako Scholarship
Ideal for current or aspiring coaches. Gain 40 NZQA credits and develop athlete-centred coaching skills.
👉 Apply/info: https://www.temahiako.org.nz/workplaces/sports-coaching-host-organisation
🗓 Closes 15 April
📅 Save the Date - Tasman Lifeguard Development
The Tasman Lifeguard Development Weekend is back — even bigger and better than ever to be held in Kaiteriteri.
👉 Pencil in 17 October now!
2026 Prizegiving
Nelson Surf Lifesaving club 2026 prizegiving was held on 22nd March at the Marist clubrooms. We had an amazing turn-out to what is a special occasion to celebrate the 2026 year and our outstanding people. An enjoyable evening with amazing fish taco wraps thanks to our friends at Sealord!
All photos available here.
Awards:
Will Cooper - NSLSC Junior Trophy for Most Outstanding Attitude and Commitment.
Eila Clark - NSLSC Most Outstanding Junior Surf Sports Athlete Trophy
Belle Clark - NSLSC Junior Surf Coach of the Year Award
Mackenzie College - GT SportsmanshipRebbeca Fergusson - GT Sportsmanship
Cohen Hann and Hank Parlane - GT Rookie
Malcolm York - The Fiona Paurini Memorial Trophy
Charlie - NSLSC Patrol Team of the Year
Billie Maskell - NSLSC Outstanding Patrol Member
Kyan Munnerley - Trophy for Sea Swimmer - NSLSC Junior
Nevin Price - Trophy for Sea Swimmer - NSLSC Senior (open)
Brittany Spencer and Courtney Moir - IRB team of the year
SAR team - The Nelson Surf rescue Hanson Shield for Bravery
Ariana McGee - Andy Connor Trophy for the Spirit of Surf LifeSaving
Ben Clark - NSLSC Coach of the Year
Sophie Stewart - NSLSC Patrol Support of the Year
Aimee Hogue - NSLSC Commitment to Excellence Trophy
Thanks to Aimee Hogue
That is Aimee on the left :)
We are sad to announce that Aimee Hogue is stepping down from her responsibilities as Uniforms Officer. Aimee has been absolutely amazing in this role and we are grateful for all that hard work she has done over the last three years ensuring our club members have the gear they need to perform their roles. Many thanks Aimee!
This does of course open up the role for a new Clubbie. If anyone feels they are able to step-up and help please contact Noah Hosie on 027 2274335.
Winter Pool Training
Winter pool training starts up on Sunday the 3rd May at Riverside Pool.
This will be hosted every Sunday from 3pm till 4pm.
This is a great session open to everyone from Juniors to Lifeguards. We will focus on fitness and skills required for surf lifesaving pool events. The skills we build will be put to use for all those that are interested at a fun pool competition in Greymouth in September.
More information on pool events can be found in the pool competition manual.
The sessions will prepare us for the Greymouth competition but they are mostly about having fun and building swimming confidence.
The sessions are already paid for with your annual club subscription so come along and give it a go. For those that are able, we would be grateful if you are able to stay and support the water activities.
Canterbury/Tasman Awards of Excellence
The 2026 Canterbury/Tasman Awards of Excellence are just around the corner, and is open to all members that wish to attend. Nelson Surf Lifesaving Club will have a number of nominations put forward se will will be up for awards!
If you can make it along please register now!
Event Details
Date: Saturday 9th May
Time: 6:00pm start (doors open 5:15pm)
Venue: The Piano
Address: 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch
Ticket price: $15 per person
Surprise Visit from IRB Legends
How cool that John and Chris Speight had the time to stop in and say hi to the team on patrol and see their crafts in action.
For those that don’t know John and Chris they are the makers behind the world’s number 1 Inflatable Surf Lifesaving Craft! Another amazing NZ success story.
Super great people and we felt honoured to have them at our club.
Want to learn more click here.
Thanks to Our Committee
Goes without saying but none of this would be possible without the tireless work of our Committee (Aaron Coe, Aaron Lyttle, Aimee Hogue, Ariana Mcgee, Ben Clark, Brittany Spencer, Desra Fergusson, Fiona Hosie, Heidi Curtis, Jane Alloway, Jayd Cosmatos, Marcus Gardner, Mary Seelen, Matt Wyatt, Nevin Price, Noah Hosie, Sam Edens).
A great group of human beings!
If you have any questions or want to reach out to a committee member you will find our contact details here.
Thanks to our Sponsors
A massive thanks again to all of our sponsors. We could not do this without you!
