An Omanu surf lifesaver's persistent and whole-hearted involvement in helping to search for five-year-old Jack Dixon, who was swept out to sea last October, has helped him earn Bay of Plenty Lifeguard of the Year.

Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club's Thomas Yule is the Bay of Plenty Surf Lifesaver of the Year. Photo by Cameron Avery.

Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club's Thomas Yule was announced the 2015 recipient at Saturday night's Bay of Plenty/Coromandel Surf Lifesaving Awards of Excellence at Tauranga's Trinity Wharf.

It's the first time Thomas has won the regional award for Lifeguard of the Year. He was named Lifeguard of the Year for his club last year.

'I wasn't expecting it,” says the 25-year-old surf lifesaver. 'You know you always hope for these things after you're nominated and it's great to be able to come out with the Lifeguard of the Year Award.”

The annual awards celebrate all the various clubs and athletes have achieved during a bumper 2014/15 summer season.

The Lifeguard of the Year award recognises a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of drowning prevention services for Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

Thomas was recognised for his leadership abilities and his heavy involvement in the unsuccessful search operation for Jack Dixon at Mount Maunganui last year.

Jack was playing in the waters at Shelley Beach on October 1, 2014, when he was swept out to sea by a large wave.

'It was a tragedy, but it was also a blessing to see how everyone came together,” says Thomas. 'Our lifesaving advisory committee was there in whole part and we said to each other: ‘This is exactly what surf lifesaving is'.”

Thomas played an active part in the 10-day search, taking time off work to spend probing the shoreline and rock pools for Jack.

'It was very tough conditions,” says Thomas. 'Some of the worst I've had to do an active search in. But we all knew the hazards and the risks and we discussed everything as best we could.

'Looking back I can definitely say that we did everything we possibly could and if we had any more resources then I'm sure we would have used them.”

Thomas was also awarded Innovation of the Year for his K9 Surf Rescue Dogs Project which aims to train dogs to become surf lifesavers.

The surf lifesaver has been training his newfoundland Ted to help rescue people from the surf and hopes to train more dogs to do the same.

'The whole idea is for dogs to be able to assist with surf lifesaving,” says Thomas. 'There's plenty of endless opportunities for it.”

This season will be the first time he is bringing his project to the beach, with rollouts and training on active patrol.

Thomas has been involved in surf lifesaving since age four. That's 21 years of a love for the sun, sand and surf – and now saving lives.

'Honestly, there's not a lot of other things that really give me the drive to get out in the sun and be down at the beach, meet people and give my bit back. That's why I do it. There's nothing else that fits that category.

'It's exciting. We work as a team and we're efficient. That's another great quality that I see in this [surf lifesaving].”

Thomas has been part of Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Omanu surf lifesaving clubs, which he says has given him a divert look at how each club operates at each part of the beach.

'That experience at each one of those beaches has really let me grow. I'm thankful for that and the family bond that you get at each of the clubs and each one is different.”

Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club received the award for Overall Club of the Year, a recognition Thomas says is well deserved.

'I think it all comes down to the way you engage your members through your club and your community. I think Omanu's really nailed it this season.”

Thomas has had a busy season, stepping up as an IRB instructor, acting as an event lifeguard and mentored a lot of fellow members within the Omanu club. He has also completed the BP Leaders for Life Programme, which emphasises the development of local leaders who are skilled at working collaboratively with others to build and sustain SLSNZ.

'Being involved in the search and rescue and the afterhours stuff that I'm involved in is certainly a great pleasure of mine to be able to give back while we're not really on the front line,” says Thomas.

'I love to give back and that's why I do it. I don't do this unless I'm seeing the enjoyment out of it for other people. I've got plenty of experience and I'm only going to get more, so I want to be able to share that with everyone as I go through, not just at the end.”

For full results of the BOP/Coromandel Surf Lifesaving Awards of Excellence, click here.