A pair of Papamoa Surf Life Savers are the toast of the Bay of Plenty sport's community after being recognised at the Surf Life Saving New Zealand 2014 Awards of Excellence.

Papamoa coach Kurt Wilson was named DHL coach of the year and Ross Merrett claimed DHL Surf Official of the Year last night in front of about 150 guests, including Governor General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Kurt Wilson raising the trophy high. Photos: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

Ross Merrett.

Every year awards are given to Surf Life Saving members to officially recognise them for their hard work and dedication to SLNZ.

Some of the night's top awards included NZ Lottery Grants Board Lifeguard of the Year, DHL Volunteer of the Year and the BP Surf Rescue of the Year.

For Kurt, the win marks the end of his tenure as Papamoa coach, having earlier this year left the Bay to become director of surf sports at Currumbin Vikings Surf Lifesaving Club in the Gold Coast.

His last official day as coach will be on September 29.

Earlier this month Kurt led the club to back-to-back SLNZ NZ Pool Championships in West Auckland and has seen the rise of national representatives such as Natalie Peat, Kodi Harman and Ben Johnston.

BP Rescue of the Year was awarded to Matthew, Peter and Katherine Craig of the Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club for a daring rescue in rough seas on the coast between Whakatane and Ohope.

On August 10 last year, two Whakatane men had walked around the coast to Otarawairere to go diving and when they began making their way home in the evening, they became trapped by the rising tide.

With Katherine coordinating from the shore, Peter and his son Matthew headed out in an IRB with a spotlight hastily borrowed from a hunting friend.

They found the men on the Ohope-side of the coast beneath Kohi Point. One collapsed and had symptoms of advanced hypothermia.

Matthew swam 50m through white water in a 1m swell to the rock where the men were stranded. He towed the first to the IRB and then swam back to the rock and returned with the 42 year-old.

Both men were transferred to a waiting Coastguard boat and then transferred to hospital by ambulance.

In May, the trio were also awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Operational Activity at the 2013 New Zealand Search and Rescue Council Awards in Wellington.

Along with the lifesaving and sport awards, a host of Service Awards were presented to members to officially recognise them for their hard work and dedication to Surf Life Saving in New Zealand.

Holders of the SLSNZ Service Award have given outstanding service to Surf Life Saving at club, regional, or national level over a period of years while holders of the Distinguished Service Award have continued to give outstanding service to Surf Life Saving at club, regional, or national level over a further period of years.

The 50 Year Badge was given to members who have dedicated 50 years of service to Surf Life Saving within New Zealand and Life Memberships are awarded to those members who have been active members for at least 25 years and who have provided exemplary service at a national level.

From Papamoa Matthew Pickering and Kurt were awarded Distinguished Service Awards and Terry Dell from the Mount Lifeguard Service was awarded a 50 Year Badge while fellow clubbie John Bryant received a SLNZ Life Membership.

John Bryant.

2014 SLNZ Award winners from the Bay of Plenty:

BP Rescue of the Year: Whakatane

DHL Surf Official of the Year: Ross Merrett, Papamoa

DHL Coach of the Year: Kurt Wilson, Papamoa

Service Awards:

Steve O'Connor, Whakatane

Distinguished Service Award:

Matthew Pickering, Papamoa

Malcolm Rowson, Whakatane

Kurt Wilson, Papamoa

50 Year Badge:

Terry Dell, Mt Maunganui

Arthur Tong, Whakatane

Life Membership:

John (Spindles) Bryant, Mt Maunganui