The award recognises excellence in outdoor education instruction.
Mr Langridge was nominated by several people, including his former teacher and head of department for outdoor education Eric Schusser, who said Mr Langridge was not the ordinary outdoor education instructor.
Right from his early days at Dunstan High School, it was obvious there was something special about his ability to lead and teach people in the outdoors, and that skill and tenacity had now been recognised and would open doors, he said.
Mr Langridge (24), who works for Horizons Unlimited in Christchurch, had just returned from an 18-day trip with teenagers when the Otago Daily Times caught up with him.
His passion for the outdoors is obvious.
"I see students learning and then I see them apply that learning. I am loving what I am doing, although it can be tough at times."
He said the best part of his job was helping people to grow and develop.
His 18-day trip as a leader meant he was on duty 24 hours a day making sure his charges were eating properly, drinking enough, and had all the right gear.
Home sickness and everyday teenage dramas also had to be taken care of.
"It's all part of the job, but it's quite challenging as well," he said.
"I come home from a big trip like that mentally drained so I generally have a light workload for the next few days to recharge."
He has huge admiration for his teacher at Dunstan High School who continues to be his mentor in the real wold.
"Eric helped steer me in a path to where I am now. To have him backing me is a huge confidence booster. It's a cool relationship and I try to get back to Dunstan to help out with the leadership camps with Eric and Kerry [Barnett]."
Mr Schusser has nothing but praise for Mr Langridge as an instructor.
"For his age, Sam is the most talented instructor I have ever come across. He has a great sense of fun and humour combined with a great skill and experience that enables him to get the most out of his clients."
A natural at any outdoor pursuit he tried, Mr Langridge had kept on developing his skills to even higher levels.
"I often come into contact with new instructors either as trainees at our school or on contract, and Sam is a stand-out among the good ones - that rare combination of instructor, guide, educator, facilitator and genuine decent human being," Mr Schusser said.
