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 Central Coast Lifeguard Exchange.

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 2025-26 exchange are open until the 2nd of March. Apply here 

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 Central Coast Exchange was established in 2025 and is between Surf Life Saving Northern Region and Surf Life Saving Central Coast in Australia. The Central Coast Exchange empowers emerging leaders within Northern Region through international collaboration, practical based learning and immersive leadership development. By connecting Surf Life Northern Region and Surf Life Saving Central Coast, the program fosters personal growth, strengthens lifesaving knowledge, and builds enduring trans-Tasman relationships that enhance the future of Surf Lifesaving.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a developing understanding of knowledge of New Zealand’s lifeguarding arrangements, be proficient in a range of practical patrolling and rescue skills, and have the ability to impart this to others through prepared presentations and reports.

Selectors will be looking for candidates who can evaluate the benefits of the alternative systems and techniques they observe, have had a consistent involvement in SLS 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).

All applicants for the 2025-26 Central Coast Exchange must satisfy the following criteria before submitting their completed application form.

• 18 or 19 years of age during the exchange dates
• Be available for travel between January 7th – January 15th 2026
• Be a financial, refreshed and active patrolling member of a SLS affiliated Club in the Northern Region. (endorsed as such by your club)
• Have demonstrated significant involvement at both a Club and/or Regional levels, consistently over many years.
• Have demonstrated a desire and commitment towards the organisation in the future.
• Be available to present your exchange learnings at the Youth Development Camp 2026 (Wednesday 15th – Saturday 18th April 2026).
• Be able to demonstrate ability to meet financial costs associated with the exchange e.g. living expenses etc.
• Demonstrate the physical ability and competence to participate in the full range of lifeguard activities associated with the exchange (competent swimmer and all-round good fitness)
• Complete the medical information and disclaimer.

Applications for the 2026 exchange are open until Monday 17th November, 9am. Apply here