Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Leaders for Life 10-month programme begins next month, designed to retain its members and improve their skills.
Jody Mowat (21), of the St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club, in Dunedin, was one of the 15 lifeguards selected from across the country to attend five workshops, at which participants would learn tips and skills from top leadership speakers.
"It is a really cool opportunity ... I am very excited for it."
She began surf life-saving at 7 and became a lifeguard seven years later.
"It is such a good organisation to be involved in.
"You get to help people to develop skills around the beach, but also life skills."
It had also been great to see more "nippers" at the club over the past season, and being a part of their growth.
Fellow lifeguard Charlotte Becconsall-Ryan (21), of the Warrington Surf Life Saving Club, was also "stoked" to be selected.
"I definitely wanted to attend, so finding out I was able to was awesome."
Starting her journey as a nipper at 10, she became a lifeguard at 14.
It was the small team environment, including inflatable rescue boat (IRB) and surf canoe racing, which kept her motivated for the role, she said.
"Being able to share that moment with someone else, but not so many people that you do not see your part in it.
"It is a nice place to be."
She had also been a part of Warrington club’s first IRB team, and helped to get younger people interested.
"We saw it grow from two teams to eight teams, and for me that was really cool because we had never had that member retention in that age group before."
Surf Life Saving New Zealand education development lead Belinda Slement said the leadership scheme would place participants in good stead to take up the many roles, including board and committee members, instructors, and patrol auditors.
