Buddy Lucas Leadership Program

The Buddy Lucas Leadership Scholarship is generously funded by Denis Black, Patron of SLSNR and Life Member of both SLSNZ and SLSNR. It provides prospective leaders the opportunity to develop and expand their knowledge of Surf Life Saving and develop their own personal skills.

Buddy Lucas (pictured above) was a legend of Surf Lifesaving in Northern Region and at his home club of Piha. He joined the Piha SLSC in 1944, gaining his lifeguard award the year after. From there, he went on to win multiple National titles in the surf race and made valuable contributions on the Piha Committee as Club Captain and as President for nearly two decades. Along with this, he received Service and Distinguished Service awards at a Club, District and New Zealand level and was awarded a highly prestigious Life Membership of the Piha SLSC. Buddy remains as one of the pre-eminent leaders within our organization and the Buddy Lucas Leadership Program is aimed to foster young leaders within our movement.

People remember Buddy as someone who was not harsh or critical but always had a kind, friendly word. He managed to keep above the rows, arguments, factions and feuds at Piha. Friend Rodger Curtice said at his funeral that he was “modest in victory and generous in defeat, Buddy set an outstanding example as a sportsman and his quiet demeanour made him popular with thousands of New Zealanders”.

The Buddy Lucas Leadership Program is made up of three pillars. The first of these is the California Lifeguard Exchange, the second is the Senior Leadership Experience and the third is the World Conference on Drowning Prevention.

Since 1969 senior lifeguards have been selected from clubs in the Northern Region, to visit lifeguard agencies in California. The exchange is part of the Buddy Lucas Leadership Program and is a structured learning experience, and is an opportunity for clubs to nominate exceptional lifeguards who show the ability to enhance surf lifesaving in this country. 

With the assistance of the host organisation – California Surf Life Saving Association – the exchange delegates are given the opportunity to participate in patrolling activities, to witness and practice the use of different types of rescue equipment, and to observe alternative beach management programmes and administrative structures.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a high level of knowledge of New Zealand’s lifeguarding arrangements, be highly proficient in a range of practical patrolling and rescue skills, and have the ability to impart this to others through prepared presentations and coordination of hosting duties on their return.

Selectors will be looking for candidates who can successfully evaluate the benefits of the alternative systems and techniques they observe, have had a consistent involvement in SLS over a long period of time and who will continue to actively participate in the development and administration of surf lifesaving following the exchange (i.e. have earned it, will learn and develop from it, and will continue to contribute after it).

Applications for the 2023-24 exchange are now closed. 

The purpose of the Buddy Lucas Senior Leadership Experience (SLE) is to challenge and develop members thinking and preparing the future leaders of the organization. SLE focuses on personal development and leadership development rather than specific Surf Life Saving skills. The Buddy Lucas Senior Leadership Experience is a three day, two night course.

The course is designed to be a surprise and a challenging experience to help build comradery, personal attributes and leadership for senior lifeguards to use through life and their lifeguarding career. This differs from Intermediate & Senior Guard schools as this is primarily leadership and not lifeguarding focused.

Although this course is run through surf lifesaving, the aim of this weekend is to take you well outside of the normal surf lifesaving environment. The course will be physically and mentally demanding but expect this to be built upon by senior instructors from within the region as well as guest speakers that will help teach you skills that you will need through the course.

Pre-requisites:

• 18yrs of age or older
• SLSNZ member (Current on SLSNZ Database)
• Refreshed Lifeguard
• Club Endorsement

The 2023/24 Senior Leadership Experience will be held over the 20th – 22nd of September 2024. Applications will open in June 2024.

The World Conference on Drowning Prevention is the third pillar of the Buddy Lucas Leadership Program. The Buddy Lucas Leadership Program is funded by Denis Black, Patron of SLSNR and Life Member of both SLSNZ and SLSNR. It provides prospective leaders the opportunity to develop and expand their knowledge of Surf Life Saving and develop their own personal skills. Through this, the successful candidates will have some of their costs covered.

The International Life Saving Federation’s World Conference on Drowning Prevention was held at the Perth Conference and Exhibition Centre, Western Australia from 4-7 December 2023.

This globally significant event will focus world attention on drowning prevention. WCDP 2023 will gather experts in drowning prevention, lifesaving and water safety with the goal of Shaping Global Strategy and Mobilising for Action.

The conference themes reflect the challenges and opportunities of reducing drowning in all communities, nations, and regions:

• Measuring and mapping the drowning burden
• Addressing drowning prevention in life stages and populations
• Addressing drowning prevention in activities and occupational settings
• Advancing drowning prevention through policy, partnerships and planning
• Showcasing world-leading advances in coastal safety
• Showcasing world-leading advances in aquatic industry leisure management
• Showcasing world-leading swimming and water safety education
• Advancing the science medical treatment and issues in drowning and aquatic injury
• Confronting the challenges of disaster and climate change
• Advancing drowning prevention in global health and development agendas
• Fostering innovation in response to emerging challenges and opportunities

This is the first time the World Conference on Drowning Prevention has been hosted in Australia.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a high level of knowledge of New Zealand’s lifeguarding arrangements, in a range of practical patrolling and rescue skills, and have the ability to impart this to others through prepared presentations on return from the conference.

Selectors will be looking for candidates who can successfully evaluate the benefits of the alternative systems and techniques they observe, have had a consistent involvement in SLS over a long period of time and who will continue to actively participate in the development and administration of surf lifesaving following the conference.

Selection Process

The selection process will be undertaken by an advisory group appointed by the Membership Development Committee. Applicants will be advised via email if they have been short-listed for an interview, and if so, the time and place for this.

Selectors’ decision to be final

The selection advisory group’s decision will be final, and their deliberations will remain confidential to the appointed advisory group.

Criteria

All applicants for the World Conference on Drowning Prevention must satisfy the following criteria before submitting their completed application form.

• 21 years of age by 1st June 2023
• Be available for travel to Perth, Australia from 3rd – 8th December 2023.
• Be a financial and active member of a Surf Life Saving Club in the Northern Region (endorsed as such by your club).
• Have demonstrated significant involvement at both Club and/or Regional levels, consistently over many years.
• Have demonstrated a desire and commitment towards the organisation in the future.
• Be available to join a regional committee on return to implement some findings from the conference.
• Be able to demonstrate ability to meet some financial costs associated with the conference.