Teenagers cited for surf rescue

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 4

Teenagers cited for surf rescue

PA Wellington Two Taranaki teenagers who made a rescue in their first season as surflifeguards have.won the Westpac Rescue: *of . the Year Award. >, .... Catherine Crowley and Veronica Harrington, both 16, yesterday said they were shocked to/be nominated for the award. “It’s pretty amazing,” the fifth form students said. As members of Taranaki’s East End Club, the girls — IS - at the. time — rescued two boys Who were on tyre tubes and were being blown, out to sea at New Plymouth in February. They received their award yesterday from the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, in a special. ceremony at Government House, Wellington. The two newly qualified lifeguards were patrolling with two other juniors when they saw the boys

being blown out by a strong off-shore southerly wind. Veronica and Catherine paddled out on surf res-, cue boards and helped the - boys back to shore One ’ was distressed and calling for help, while the other was in a state of mild shock. Neither required medical attention. The award citation said it was not a spectacular <- rescue, but the boys were at serious risk because of the weather and because no other rescue ,crpft; was « available? Veronica '-and J Catherine’s inexperience ? ” was also highlighted,' but the citation said they performed the rescue “by the book.” “Apart from demonstrating the thoroughness of their lifeguard training, their actions are indicative of the outstanding work carried out by surf lifesaving clubs and their - patrols, the citation said. After the ceremony

Veronica and Catherine said receiving the citation was a/prpud moment Neimdrhad heard from the bqys, jaged 12 and 13, whom they saved. “They just said thanks and ran ott;> Veronica said. The award to East End lifeguards continues Taranaki clubs’ successes. Last year a holidaying female lifeguard from Taranaki, Kerry Waterhouse, performed the outstanding rescue in the Bay «of Plenty, and in 1985 a holidaying crew of a surf ;rpscue boat received the award for a daring, nighttime clifMde rescue, Westpac’s Lifeguard of the Year Award was won by Murray Robertson, an instructor of Walnut, Gisborne. N i During jihe last decade, Mr Robertson has trained more than 150 people for their surf bronze medallion — 70 in the last two seasons.