Media Release
28 February 2012
Coastguard Auckland Volunteer Awarded For Keeping Swimmers Safe

Coastguard Auckland volunteer, Campbell Hope, was presented with the Bert and Mamie Raper Memorial Trophy for Volunteer Services to Auckland Central Masters Swimming Inc on Sunday.

A Senior Skipper who has volunteered with Coastguard for 43 years, Mr Hope received the award at the end of the Master’s hugely popular and long-standing Eagle Technology Rangitoto to St Heliers swim this year, for his role in providing scene command and ensuring the safety of all swimmers competing in the Auckland Central Masters Swimming Inc events.

Approximately 50 Coastguard volunteers from around the Hauraki Gulf dedicate their time to supervising four graded swims run by Auckland Central Masters every summer, culminating in the final swim from Rangitoto, crossing the busy Auckland Channel.

While Mr Hope says he feels honoured to receive the award, he is quick to point out that it was the combined efforts of Coastguard’s volunteers that helped to ensure the safety of swimmers.

“Coastguard volunteers dedicate their time to ensure Kiwis are kept safe at sea and we’re always pleased that we can be of assistance to Auckland Central Masters Swimming Inc during its very popular events.

“The Auckland Central Masters Swimming Inc events not only give competitors the opportunity to challenge themselves in a safe environment, but it also gives our volunteers a chance to put their training into practice and enjoy the camaraderie generated by this type of event.”

President of the Auckland Central Masters Swimming Inc, Geoff Carter, says that with the open water swim crossing extremely busy harbour channels, swimmer safety is a priority – a role fulfilled by Mr Hope and fellow Coastguard volunteers.

“We are delighted to give this award to Campbell Hope in recognition of all his good work, and that of the Coastguard volunteers, in helping us run our annual harbour swims over the last 13 years.

“Being a voluntary organisation, it would not have been possible for us to run these harbour swims without the excellent support of Coastguard, along with the other voluntary groups that make this such an iconic event for Auckland swimmers.”

The Auckland Central Masters Swimming Inc events have been a popular fixture on the swimming calendar for over 20 years and the Rangitoto swim attracted over 400 swimmers this year.

Support organisations that helped make the harbour swims possible include the Scouts, St Johns Ambulance, Onehunga Swimming Club, Auckland Canoe Club, Devonport Rotary Club, Eagle Technology, Orca and Chelsea Sugar.

For further information on the events and how you can register next season, visit www.aucklandharbourswims.org.nz

ENDS

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