Laura Adams

My name is Laura I am 16 years old and I have 2 older brothers Logan and Nick. I am a volunteer lifeguard at Piha and I am also part of the Competition Squad for Piha and compete in all the water events. I have been doing surf lifesaving my whole life. I love having fun, hanging with my friends, adrenalin rushes and I love laughing fits. I am also pretty outgoing.
I am at Diocesan school for girls; I am in year 12, which means I have one year left of school after this one. I study maths, geography, biology, chemistry, physics and English. I would like to become a paid guard next summer as I think it is a good experience and loads of fun. I would also like to do Camp America when I finish school, and travel around the world.
I play waterpolo, and I love any sport to do with the water.
I love summer and the sun, hate winter, and I love hanging out at the beach with my friends and surfing. Also the bigger the wave the better for me, that’s why I love Piha. I love long
strolls along the beautiful black sand of Piha especially when the sun is setting. I would love to go to the Olympics so I have recently started a synchronised swimming team with my friend and we practice in her pool.

Chad Bedford

Hey there the names Chad, I’m a kind laid back sort of a guy with a good personality and good sense of humour who enjoys meeting new people.
I have a fairly close family which consists of 2 older brothers and a younger sister. I live at two different houses one close to the city with my dad which I stay at the majority of the time and the other a bit closer to Piha with my mum. I also have a newly built beach house at Piha where I am a voluntary lifeguard and have been for the last two years.
I enjoy hanging out with friends and am into all the usual types of new movies and enjoy a variety of the latest music.
I’m into all sports and enjoy both participating and watching.
I attend Saint Peters college in Auckland where I’m in my last year of school, I study subjects like English, geography, biology etc. I currently play sports like rugby league in the winter and Australian rules in the summer both sports you may not of even heard of but are relatively big in this part of the world. I also lifeguard at Piha. I’m excited about this exchange as it will be an unforgettable experience where I have the chance to participate in a unique experience while also having a chance to meet you guys. Looking forward to it and should be a great experience. Catch yah later!

Lisa Blakemore

Hi my name is Lisa and I’m 16 years old. I have an older brother called Jason (18) and a cat called Wizzy. I live in Titirangi with my Mum, Dad, and Brother. Titirangi is 30 minutes away from Piha, where I have been a lifeguard for just over 2 years.
As well as being a lifeguard, I am also part of the Piha competition squad, where my favourite event is board.
I attend Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS), where I am year 12 (form 6) in 2009. I take Maths, English, Biology, Geography, and German.
I play underwater hockey for my school, and do jazz dancing, and I also swim regularly for my swim club. Apart from this, most of my time goes into training for Piha.
However, when I am not training, I love to go to the beach (especially Piha). Most weekends I will take out a paddle board and catch some waves. I enjoy surfing (I’m not very good yet though), and I love hanging out with my friends.

Amelia Brown

Hey guys! I’m Amelia Brown and I am in the 6th form at Western Springs College. I have just turned 16 years old. I have 2 younger sisters, one older brother and an older sister that lives in L.A with her husband.
I live in Titirangi which is about 20 minutes drive from Piha beach where I am a volunteer lifeguard. I started off as a ‘nipper’ at around age 4 and have been in the club ever since.
I have participated in a bunch of school sports including netball, squash, swimming and lacrosse. I also play lacrosse for club and I’m in the New Zealand under19 team. On weekends I like to be with my friends at the beach and in summer I try and stay at our bach at Piha as much as I can.
When I finish school I plan to go to university and study physiotherapy in the hope of travelling the world as a sports physio.
After every Huntington exchange I hear stories about how much fun everyone had and now finally it’s my turn so you wouldn’t believe how excited I am to come to America and meet you all! See you soon, Amelia

Duncan Buchanan

Hi my name is Duncan, I’ve been a lifeguard since I was 14. I have a younger brother who is a rookie life guard and live with my parents about 30 mins from Piha. My main discipline is surf ski, and I’m a competitive flat water kayaker.
I am in my second to last year at Rangitoto College. I take a range of subjects but my favourite is sport science.
I listen to a range of music in quite a few genres. I watch most movies and enjoy them. I have a strong interest in cars and am working on getting my IRB drivers license for lifesaving.
I mountain bike as a hobby usually in the cooler months with mates. I surf, which I really enjoy, I usually surf at Piha or north of Auckland. I would love to get better and hopefully have an opportunity to surf in California. In my spare time I like to hang out with mates.
I am really excited to come to Huntington as I haven’t travelled overseas much and I think it will be really good to meet people on the other side of the world who are involved in lifesaving. I’m excited to show someone from Huntington how lucky we are in NZ and to show off our beach. And show
someone from Huntington the kiwi life style.

Sam Byrne

Hi my name is Samuel Gurwitz-Byrne, I am Year 12 this year and am 15 years old, but will be 16 years old by the time I come to Huntington. I go to a school called Mount Albert Grammar School. I have one sister and one twin brother. But we are not identical. My twin brother is also coming to Huntington. I have done Surf Life Saving since I was 4 years old from doing Nippers. I have now been a Qualified life guard for 2 years.
I like many types of music but mostly Hip-Hop, Pop, Soft rock, and techno/dance. So quite a mixture. Movies that I like are mostly action, and comedies.
I like Performing Arts for example: Dance & Drama. I also really enjoy Swimming and going to the beach - prefer PIHA though. I also Like driving Cars, prefer manuals not automatics.
I am very excited to go to Huntington as it’s a great experience, which only happens every few years. Also I have always wanted to travel to America.

Joe Byrne

Hello I’m year 12 and I go to Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS). I have an older sister and a twin brother who will also be attending this trip. I did nippers from 4 years of age until I was 14 and then I qualified as a life guard two
years ago.
I like hip hop rnb techno. I like action movies and comedy
I play rugby for my school and I was the captain of my team last season. In my spare time I like to chill out with mates and enjoy the beach and swimming. Preferring PIHA.
Also when I am older I want to move to Australia.
I am very excited to go to Huntington as it’s a great experience, which only happens every few years. Also I have always wanted to travel to America. So I get two things out of this one experience.

Freya Camplin

Hi I’m Freya and I have a younger sister Brita who is also in the team. We live in Laingholm, West Auckland which is approx a 25 minute drive to Piha where I have been a qualified Lifeguard for 2 years.
As well as patrolling I compete with the Piha Competition Squad
in Surf Swim, Board Paddling and Beach events.
I attend St Mary’s College for Girls in Auckland. I am in my 2nd to last year and hope to continue to University to study Radiology. I enjoy playing the Saxaphone and play for my school Concert Band. I also enjoy listening to music, especially Jack Johnson, Plain White Tees and Metro Station.
I enjoy many sports and am involved in Swimming, Waterpolo, Skiing, Surfing, Netball, Orienteering and of course Surf Lifesaving. I have recently quit competitive swimming but I am heavily involved with Waterpolo for both School and a Club.
In the summer I enjoy spending time at the beach at Piha and Hahei Beach (Coromandel) where my family have a holiday place. And in winter at Mt Ruapehu where I love to ski. I love hanging with my friends in my spare time going to movies and shopping.
I really am happy to be on this exchange because mum did something similar when she was younger and I want to experience the fun she had for myself! I’m really looking forward to jumping off the pier, meeting new people, experiencing lifeguarding US style and being close to Newport Harbour and Laguna Beach (from my favourite TV programmes). And showing you Auckland and beautiful Piha Beach when you return in 2010. I can’t wait to meet you all.

Brita Camplin

Hi I’m Brita - I’m 15 years old. I have an older sister – Freya – who is also part of the Piha Team. I live in Titirangi, with my Mum Dad and Freya. We’re about 20 minutes from Piha Beach where I’m a volunteer lifeguard. I’m also in the Piha Competition Squad and compete in Board, Surf Swim, Ironman and beach events.
I attend St Mary’s College in the city along with my sister and two cousins. It is a great school and I enjoy it.
I love Surfing!! I have been surfing for two years now and hoping
to get better!
I am involved with competitive swimming – training about 5/6 times a week. I started Surf Lifesaving 3 years ago as a ‘Nipper’ – this season was my first as a qualified lifeguard. I spend most summer holidays at either Piha or Hahei Beach at Coromandel (about 2 hours out of Auckland). In the winter I love to ski and snow board at Mt Ruapehu. My other favourite interest is Dancing! I have been dancing since I was 5. I attend 5-7 classes each week including Ballet, Jazz Ballet and Contemporary.
When I am not at school or at any of my other activities I am either doing homework or chilling out having a rest while texting or watching TV – or hanging out with my friends.
I can’t wait to come to the US and meet you all. It’ll be great fun and a fantastic experience for me. I am sure I will learn a lot about lifeguarding in the US and hopefully I can bring back some new ideas to Piha!

Gareth Clabrough

Hi my name is Gareth and I have a younger sister Charlotte. We live in Te Atatu South which is about 30 mins drive from Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard. As well as being a lifeguard I am also part of the Competition Squad for Piha and compete in surf swim and board.
I attend Western Springs College were I am a year 12 student. This year I am studying English, Classical studies, Media, Art painting, Accounting & Biology.
I enjoy watching movies; my favourites include Jurassic Park, The Nightmare before Christmas, Dark Knight, The Prestige, Reservoir Dogs & Pulp Fiction. I prefer to read books especially those written by Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, David Gemmell, Michael Crichton & Raymond. E. Feist. I do not eat red meat through choice but am not a vegetarian as I don’t eat many veggies either!
I train with a swimming club and swim competitively; I also play Waterpolo for my school and a club.
When I am not studying or playing sport I like to read, watch movies or play on my computer or xbox.
I have been to the UK a couple of times to visit family as I was born in Wales and immigrated to New Zealand when I was 2 ½ yrs old. I have never been to America so am very excited about the trip to Huntington. I am also looking forward to showing you around New Zealand when you visit us here.

Jessica Cowan

Hi my name is Jess. I have been a lifeguard for about a season but I’ve been competing for Piha for four years.
I have two step brothers, and a 3 year old niece. I live at home with Mum and Dad. One step brother lives in Sydney and the other lives not far from us with his wife and 3 year old daughter.
I’m at Henderson High. This year I have been chosen for a place at school in a Drama programme called “Inspire”. I do a lot of additional hours after school and during school on this and
love it.
In spare time I like to hang with my friends.
My sports mostly revolve around lifesaving. I do it competitively and enjoy the variety. I do run, board, ski, and swim.
I’m excited to go to America to experience lifesaving there.

Nico Donnell-Brown

I have two brothers, one older and one younger. My older brother, Remus, went to Huntington on the last exchange. We live in Titirangi which is about a 30 minute drive from Piha. I have been a member at Piha for 4 years. I qualified as a lifeguard at Piha in February. I compete in surf lifesaving where I enter in beach flags, beach sprints, surf swim, paddle board and sometimes diamond - my best events are beach flags and beach sprints.
I am in year 10 at Green Bay High School
My favourite subjects at school are sport and health and I love trying any sports. I enjoy listening to music – mostly easy listening and a bit of rock. I enjoy watching lots of movies and my favourite TV program is ‘Family guy’
Apart from surf lifesaving I play waterpolo for Waitakere club – we just came 5th in the National under 14 competition. I also play rugby for school and made the swim team and the athletics team. I enjoy skateboarding for fun – I just got a new board for Xmas.
I am really looking forward to going to Huntington – to learn about how lifeguarding is done in America and to meet new friends and have fun. It’ll be good to show an American NZ and Piha when they come here at the end of 2009.

Georgia Farmer

Hi my name is Georgia and I have 1 older sister. We live in Takapuna by the beach, which is about an hour drive to Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard. As well as being a lifeguard I am also part of the Competition Squad for Piha and compete in sprints, flags, board and tube rescue.
I go to Diocesan School for girls. In 2009 I will be starting year 11.
I take the core subjects as well as German and an extra science.
I like listening to music but not rap. I love to be outside and spend a lot of my time swimming (for fun). I spend most of my spare time playing sport. I windsurf mostly for fun with some of my friends and I used to go sailing every weekend in my small yacht but I am now so busy with Piha and underwater hockey that I have stopped sailing. I play underwater hockey for the school Senior A team – last year I played for the junior A team and we came 2nd in New Zealand, and I also got picked as one of the best 6 players at nationals. During summer I do lots of surf life saving training & carnivals for the Piha competition team.
In my spare time I walk my dogs and spend many hours playing in the ocean. I love surf & try to go to a surf beach as often as I can.
I really wanted to go to Huntington because it is a chance to see a different part of the world and see more about surf life saving. Also it is a chance to take part in an exchange and make new friends. I’m looking forward to showing a bit about our country and our style of lifesaving when you come in 2009/2010.

Emma Hauck

Hi my name is Emma and I’m 16 years old. I have been a lifeguard since November 2006. I am in my third season. My family is originally from the States. I have lived in New Zealand since I was three months old with my parents. I am allergic to cats but have a dog.
I am at Western Springs College (high school). I am in year 12 and I take English, Health, Maths, Biology, Classics and painting.
I enjoy most things. I enjoy the beach; the sun and being with my friends in hot summer months. I hate winter. I have played piano and guitar but have quit…
I play soccer for my school in the winter seasons and do Piha in the summer seasons.
I’m excited to go to Huntington because I think the experience of seeing the way other surf clubs work will be interesting. I’m looking forward to making new friends and keeping in contact with them as another base in America other than where my family is.

Jess Hosking

Hey I’m Jess. I’m a Westie living in the Waitakere Ranges (the bush) nice and close to Bethells beach and about 30 mins away from Piha. I’ve been a volunteer lifeguard for 3 years. I was originally a lifeguard at Karekare but after a year moved to Piha. Also I’m in the Comp Squad. I compete in the swim which is my best event, board and sprints and flags for fun.
I finished school at the end of 2008 and I’m going on to study at Unitec Tertiary Institute, doing a Bachelor of Visual Design majoring in photography. I may also double major with journalism.
I love comedy films. I like a mixture of music but I would say rock is my fav. I played the drums for a bit hoping to get back into it. I’ll eat pretty much anything but I can’t eat pork & not a fan of eggs.
I swim for a club (West Auckland Aquatics) training 5 to 6 times a week. And I do comp squad training. I used to play waterpolo for school, club, social and was in the New Zealand black team a few years ago. I’m learning to surf at the moment which is fantastic! I go out dancing & partying with my friends heaps! And spend a lot of time hanging at the beach. I love photography and taking photos so I’ve always got my camera.
I’m real excited about going to Huntington for the life experiences and meeting heaps of different people and of course take some wicked photos!! And I can’t wait for my billet to come to New Zealand so I can show them a true kiwi experience!

Rhye Jacka

Ahoy hoy my names Rhye. I am 16 years old and live not far
from Piha, in the Waitakere Hills. We live in a log cabin in the middle of the bush. I am the youngest of 5 kids. We have a dog, a blue heeler whose name is Pepsi.
I have been a volunteer lifeguard for 3 years and compete in Surf Ski and really enjoy taking part at Surf Competitions. I am really proud to have been selected as a finalist in the Northern Region SLSNZ Awards of Excellence.
I currently work one day a week on a dairy farm through school and I’m really loving it. I have 1½ years left at school and then I would like to take up farming as a career. I love to go fishing and 4 wheel driving. I mostly go out with my older brother Josh who takes me out on his radical 4x4 truck. I also own a 70cc
bike that I ride to school and back.
I like most types of music & play the uke. I like cereal and sausages but not together. I enjoy being in the 1st XV rugby team and also play waterpolo, squash and cricket for the school.
I’m really looking forward to travelling to Huntington as it will be my first time flying and I can’t wait to experience just how different life is there, and also to catch-up with my uncle who lives in California.
See you all in July!

Erin Jagger

Hey, my name is Erin Jagger. I’m 17 years old and was born in Long Beach, California. I moved to New Zealand when I was 7 and I live with my mum Catherine and two sisters Emily and Caitlyn. I go to St Marys College and I am in year 12.
I have been a member of Piha Surf Life Saving Club since 2004 and I intend to continue this membership for a very long time!
I enjoy all kinds of sports but I play waterpolo and lacrosse for my school and have been doing so for 3 years.
I’m up for anything in my free time and I love watching movies and listening to music. When I leave high school I want to go to film school to become a cinematographer or camera operator.
I love to travel and hope to do plenty when I’m older but I have already had the opportunity of travelling to Japan and Singapore on a student exchange with my school when I was 14. I have also travelled to Australia with my family.
I’m really looking forward to meeting new people, becoming a better lifeguard, making the most of all the opportunities this trip has to offer and returning to the beach where I spent my summers as a kid.

Ellen Kelsey

Hi my name is Ellen and I’m 16. I go to Mount Albert Grammar School and I’m year 12 this year. My favourite subjects at school are photography and art design.
I love sports, especially running, and this year I am playing soccer for my school.
I joined Piha surf club about 3 years ago, and this is where I am a volunteer lifeguard. I am also a part of the competition squad for Piha, and my favourite events are all the beach events.
In my spare time I like to hang out with friends, and go to the beach if its summer.
I love everything about being a member of Piha Surf Club, especially all the friends I have made and going out to Piha nearly every weekend.
I can’t wait to go to Huntington and meet new people and visit new places!

Nicole Lawton

Hey, my name is Nicole. I was born and raised on a small farm in a little town just northwest of Auckland, called Kumeu, and my family and I moved into the city when I was about 11. I started Surf Life-Saving about 4 years ago and only JUST missed out on the last exchange. I love the beach and surf and really enjoy all sports around the sea. My big brother is Mike Lawton, who some of you may remember from the last exchange, and he loved it so much in Huntington I just CAN’T WAIT to come over.
I am a weekly border at Kings College in Otahuhu which is co-ed and I study a wide range of subjects such as; Business, Classical studies, Geography, Biology, English, and Phys ed. When I leave school at the end of this year I hope to have finally made a decision on what I do when I leave school. ?
I like electro, techno, anything good to dance to or anything good on the radio. Films; I LOVE scary movies and just typical cool ones like note book, scary movie, anchor man etc etc.
I swim, this year I got girls swimming champ at my school so I’m pretty stoked about that. I run, do underwater hockey (once haha), water polo, snow skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding (just), tramping, singing and partying, archery, a tiny bit of athletics, just anything really, I’m up for it, ooh and I’m a mean 500 (card game) player.
Man I’ve been looking forward to going to Huntington for ages and I just can’t wait to meet you all.

Michael Lockie

Hi I’m Michael I’m an only child. We live in Kohimarama, which is 45min from Piha.
This is my second season patrolling at Piha.
I’m in year 13 at Senior College. I am studying P.E. and Geography.
I took part in the Auckland Half Ironman in March.
When I have time, and when the waves are good, I bodyboard. I also enjoy jet skiing.
I don’t eat dairy or gluten.
I’m keen to see how the lifeguards overseas work

Abbi Manley

Hi, my name is Abbi and I’m 18 years old. For me happiness is reached when a combination of sun, surf and sand are in conjunction. This is why being an active member of the Piha Surf Life Saving Club, and one of those fortunate enough to be a part of the Huntington exchange programme is such an amazing thing to do. Not only am I in my element, but I have the chance to experience lifeguarding on all levels, as well as meeting people along the likes of yourself!
I am the eldest child in our family and I have two younger sisters, one of which is on this trip too. Her name is Cali. Cali and I are both water sport driven. However, our only interrelating sport is lifesaving, one which we thrive on. My passions also lie in the competitive Water polo pool, I like to win.
At present, I am studying Viticulture at Lincoln University in Christchurch, a town in the South Island. Far away from Piha! It is certainly a character building experience, one where I am on a Future Leader Scholarship, where benefits are not only for personal gain but for those in the wider community, much like lifeguarding. Being so far away from the beach, I know what I am missing and am ecstatic to be coming back and diving into summer!
Cheers, Abbi

Cali Manley

I’m part of a family of 5, I have two sisters, one younger and one older (Abbi who is also part of the exchange program) And Dad and Mum who is also a life guard. I have 2 pets a black lab & a cat.
This is my third season as a member of Piha and I love patrolling there. So far I have been selected for the Youth Development camp, which I loved every minute of, and completed First Aid level one and two. Over the next few seasons I plan to take part in as much as possible and become an IRB driver and up skill my life guard qualifications like intermediate guard school and finishing my First Aid up to PHEC.
Other than life guarding my interests involve playing Under Water Hockey which I play for club and for my school and in 2008 I was selected for the under 18 Auckland Squad. I also like to practise my skill on the trampoline. Other than that the rest of my time is taken up with School work, spending time with friends and family and taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh challenge, which is all about leadership opportunities and growth within the context of giving back to the community.
I want to take part in the Huntington exchange program to gain more experience in life guarding, perhaps from a different perspective. I‘ll bring this back to NZ with me and I hope to be able to share this with other lifeguards, both at Piha, and other clubs during training. I also look forward to meeting people who may be half a world away, but have similar interests to me.

Patrick Marsh

Hi my name is Patrick and I have 1 older brother. We live in Mt Eden which is about 40 minutes drive from Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard. As well as being a life guard I am also part of the Piha Boaties where I compete with my crew the Piha Underdogs. I used to swim with the competition squad but I joined boats to get a bit more excitement I am at school at Western Spring College where I am completing my last year of high school.
I also Play water polo for Waitakere City Water Polo Club over the winter when I am not rowing. I enjoy skateboarding and surfing on my longboards. I work as a pool life guard at Mt Eden Swimming Pool on Sundays so that I can afford to run
my car.
I want to come to Huntington to have a good time and get some new experiences. I want to see what it is like as I have heard heaps about it from the people who went on the exchange. I hope that during the exchange I will learn heaps about lifeguarding and how it is different all over the world. I also hope to get some good friends over there.

Sean Newcombe

I am Sean and I am the youngest in my family. I have an older sister, Kelly who is 20 and is at Uni. I live with mum and dad and sister in Glen Eden, about 25 mins from Piha. This is my second year as a Rookie Lifeguard for Piha. I am in the Competition Squad and my strength is swimming and I’m working on my board technique. I enjoy carnivals and took part in Ocean Athletes this year and made some finals. I also took part in National Pool champs - Piha did great!
I am currently year 9 at Avondale College. We have a good water polo team at Premier level - water polo is my other passion.
I will sit in front of just about any movies and listen to lots of music on my ipod - old and new stuff. I love fishing and spend as much time as I can at Papa Aroha on the Coromandel where my family has a block of land. I like to watch the fishing shows on TV too.
I play water polo for 3 school teams and 2 Club teams - that takes up a lot of time. Our school Premier team came 4th out of all the secondary schools in NZ this year! At Nationals for U14 Boys (Waitakere Club) we came 5th in NZ. I also take part in Open Water swims at Takapuna beach - 1km or 1.5km. I did competition swimming but ran out of time. Mostly everything I do involves water!!
I really enjoy getting a board after Sunday trainings and messing around in the waves with Nico who is also in the Piha team.
I am really keen to go to Huntington Beach to see how the comps are run there, to take part and to meet heaps of new surfing people. It will be really great to host them when they come here, show them our part of the country and compete and catch up again. Can`t wait!

Vicky Peck

Hey I’m Vicky. I’m 16 years old. I have two little brothers. We live with my mum in Titirangi which is about a 30min drive to Piha. This is my 3rd season at Piha but only second as a lifeguard. As well as being a lifeguard I’m in the competition squad for Piha. I pretty much compete in every event but my favourite is ski.
I go to Lynfield College. I take physics, soft materials, art design, maths, English and economics.
I’m not hugely into music but I love songs I can sing to... but I can’t sing very well. I watch heaps of movies. I really like horror movies and chick flicks. My fave movie would have to be Grease.
As well as all the training I do for Piha, I also play netball over the winter. When I’m not doing school stuff or sports, I hang with my mates. I love shopping and hanging at the beach.
I can’t wait to go on this trip. I have always wanted to go to America and it will be so awesome meeting a whole lot of new people.

Alex Sigley

Hi my name is Alex and I have 1 younger brother. We live in Konini in West Auckland which is about 20 minutes drive from Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard.
I attend Western Springs College and am in year 12.
I enjoy most music , and I enjoy comedy movies.
I play water polo for my school.
When I am not studying or playing sport I love to hang out with my friends, at the beach or skateboarding.
I am really looking forward to coming to Huntington to experience what you guys do and where you hangout. And then see what you think of our beach.

Remy Smit

Hi I’m Remy. I live in Auckland. I try to spend most of my summer at Piha when I am not involved with other sport and school. We’re lucky to be able to stay at our Piha beach house.
I have an older brother, Jean-Paul who is in his final year of school.
I am a volunteer lifeguard at Piha and am also involved in coaching the B group Nippers (aged 10-11 years) every Sunday morning or helping them at their surf competitions when I am not on patrol.
As well as surf life saving I play waterpolo for my school and am a keen snow skier in winter. I attend Auckland Grammar school which is an all boys school in central Auckland. I am in year 11 (Form 5). My subjects are technology, science, geography, maths and English.
I have an off road motorbike which I am learning to ride. I love skiing in winter and am more interested in free style skiing than racing.
When I am not studying or playing sport I love to hang out with friends at the beach bodyboarding and learning to surf.
I am looking forward to going to Huntington as it will be a great experience competing and seeing how Huntington lifeguards patrol their beaches. It would also be good to see how the USA differs from New Zealand in how people live and what they do for entertainment. I will share my New Zealand culture with them and show pictures of Piha. It will be great to show them how we patrol our beaches, and how we live, when they come out in 2009/2010.

Shauni Stoffel

Hi my name is Shauni and I have1 younger brother. We live in Balmoral which is about 30 minutes drive to Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard.
I attend Mt Albert Grammar School ( MAGS ).
I like all types of music and I enjoy watching scary movies.
I love going to the beach and hanging out with my friends.
As well as surf life saving I play soccer and netball for my school.
I’m very excited about our trip to Huntington because I think it will be a great experience and I will get to meet new people.

Stefanie Sullivan

Hi my name is Stef and I have been a lifeguard at Piha for 2 years. I am the youngest in my family with two older sisters and I also have a dog.
My main sport is underwater hockey and I do netball and dancing as well.
I’m in year twelve at the moment and I’m on a scholarship at Diocesan School for Girls. When I leave school I plan on studying medicine. I really have no musical talent at all but I’m teaching myself to play the guitar.
I really love water. I did competitive swimming for four years and I now play underwater hockey and teach swimming at my school. The past couple of summers I have also been learning to surf (though I’m still not that good!)
I’m really excited about coming to Huntington and seeing how patrols run on the other side of the world!! I’m pretty keen to do the trainings over there as well and get super fit! I can’t wait for someone to come over here and show them all the swims and jumps there are to do at Piha.

Lily Taurau

Yoyoyooooo I’m Lily. I’ve been at Piha for 5 years, I’m not in the comp squad. I’ve got a Mum a Dad and 2 little sisters who are 14 and 9. I’ve also got a dog and kitten who are really cool. I live in Point C which is the meanest suburb in Auckland. When I leave school I want to be either a graphic designer, interior designer, architect or a function planner.
I’m at high school - Western Springs College. This year I studied Graphics, Media, English, Maths, Science and Maori. Next year I’m taking P.E, Media, English, Maths, Graphics and Soft Materials.
I love my music, Outkast, The Cool Kids, Blackalicious, M.I.A, The Black Seeds, Common, Lily Allen, Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Dead Prez, Dizzee Rascal, Fat Freddys Drop, Kanye West, Katchafire, Kid Sister, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R.D, Nas, Pharoah Monch, Pharrell, Salmonella Dub, Santogold, Shapeshifter, Snoop Dog, Spank Rock, The Streets, Sublime, Wu Tang Clan, and of course Kora - my favourite. I love scary movies and ones with really cool twists. I love performing; I do Stage Challenge for my school every year & in year 13 I’m going to run the best Stage Challenge the world has seen!
I love Netball, its my favourite sport, and I’m pretty good at track running. I hate soccer with a passion. I love going to rugby games but not watching them on TV. In my spare time I like going to the beach with friends.
I’m so excited to see America and experience American culture, I’m really excited to show my American billet around NZ and take them out and make their time here really awesome!!!!!

Byron Waters

Hi my name is Byron. I have one younger brother and a younger sister. We live 45 mins drive from Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard in my second year. I was in nippers/Jnr for four years before and my Dad was also a lifeguard. I am also part of the Competition squad for Piha and compete in beach sprints, paddle board, surf ski, and iron man. I am lucky that we train at Takapuna Beach which is very close to home. My younger brother is in his final year of nipper/Jnr surf, and also plays a lot of water polo. My sister was adopted from Thailand. She prefers basketball at this stage. My Dad’s partner has two girls and one boy who are also involved in surf lifesaving and compete.
I study at Westlake Boys High School. I study Cambridge subjects German, English, Science, Geography, Maths and Media Studies under the international Cambridge program.
I like most food. I kind of like fish, but not shellfish. I used to learn the piano, and guitar. I love all good movies and one day dream of making them. I like the bands Metro Station, Linken Park, and just about all top bands except Rap. I’m an imaginative person and love to joke around. I’m also kind of lazy. I love texting. I like to watch films with friends, body surf, go fishing, hang out with friends after school and read. I do some snow skiing, and I’m Ok at water skiing.
I have watched some documentaries about the Huntington lifeguards which has made me want to go over and see how they operate. I also visited Huntington last Christmas and look forward to meeting and working with lifeguards from another country and also travelling with the Piha team who are a great bunch of people.

Sam White

Hi my name is Sam and I have a younger brother Max. We live in Titirangi, a 30 minute drive from Piha, in a house that people have described as a tree house because we are surrounded by trees.
I was a rookie guard for 2 years and became a full life guard in 2008. I am in the Competition Squad and compete in all the pool champ events, the sea swim, tube rescue, diamond person and sprints. I am still trying to master the ski and have provided many humorous moments learning the board.
I am currently at Lynfield College in year 11. This is an important year as it is the first year of sitting national exams.
The music groups I enjoy are Korn, Metallica. Atreyu, and Disturbed. I like the films Rambo, Get Smart, the Batman series, Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. I really enjoy comedy and action movies. I spend a lot of time competing and training so when I can I really enjoy to blob on the couch and watch movies.
I am also a competition swimmer. I train up to 7 times a week, mostly in the mornings. I also love to compete in open water sea swimming and to play social water polo. My real passion is fishing & diving around Auckland and Coromandel, about 3 hours from Auckland. I also free dive and spear fish.
I am really looking forward to meeting the Huntington lifeguards and their families. It will be a great experience to meet new people, see how lifeguarding differs, and make new friends and compete in another country. I have been to LA before but returning will be great. All my family are looking forward to the Huntington team coming over so we can show off NZ and Piha Beach! We have beautiful beaches, many different & unique cultures, wonderful fishing and beautiful summers.

Tyler Wood

Hi my name is Tyler. I have a younger brother and sister.
We live in Massey which is about 35 mins drive from Piha, where I am a volunteer lifeguard.
As well as being a life guard I am also part of the Competition Squad for Piha and compete in sprints, board and beach flags which is my best event.
At the moment I am in year 12 at Western Springs College, studying english, maths, biology, art and PE.
In my spare time I’m at the beach.
I’m keen to go to Huntington for the new experience.

Rebecca Coldicutt

Hi my name is Becs and I’m the Chief Instructor at Piha SLSC. I live in Takapuna which is about 45 mins drive from Piha where I am a volunteer lifeguard. As well as being a lifeguard I am also part of the Competition Squad for Piha and compete in surfboat rowing. I instruct and examine those training to become lifeguards and have been a guard for 3 years now.
I am currently studying for my Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts majoring in French and German at the University of Auckland. I am also studying to obtain my Private Pilots Licence in fixed wing aircraft. I play guitar and also get my tambourine out from time to time, and love music - especially stuff from the 70’s and 80’s like Led Zep, Pink Floyd, and Dire Straits, and adore our music here in NZ. I also love travelling, getting outside, sunshine, dancing to live bands, and being at the beach.
Other than surfboat rowing, sports I love are snowboarding, surfing, running, sailing and windsurfing. I love being with my family and friends and going on roadies, camping at the beach, and snowboarding weekends away with them.
I’m looking forward to meeting the team from Huntington, learning about how lifeguarding works over in California, and getting a taste of another culture. It will also be great to share the best country in the world (New Zealand!) with the Huntington guards when they come to visit us in 2009/2010!

Anna Schubert

Hi, I’m Anna and I live with my Boyfriend Mike in a house that we bought in 2007 at Piha, which looks over a Native forest rather than over the Beach. So we enjoy going for long bush walks as well as going to KareKare to fish off the beach. My true beach is Piha which I have been guarding at since I was 14. I am a patrol Captain at Piha and have been for about 10+ years. I have also been Club Captain and served on the finance committee too.
I work for a company called Sovereign which is in Takapuna. I am a Regional Manager of a Sales Team and we promote Life Insurance.
I like any type of music but especially our home grown dub & bass bands like Fat Freddies Drop and the Black Seeds, it is laid back and suits our style of life at Piha. I can watch most movies. Favourite cartoon show would be The Family Guy – I know how old I am?
I was a mad keen mountain biker until a huge crash in May 08, which has left me with a tear in my shoulder tendon and I am now facing surgery some time in 2009. This has meant swimming, biking, golf and all my other loves are on hold until I can move my shoulder again. My patrolling duties are limited to being an ‘on deck’ patrol captain giving the directions & coordinating rather than in the doing. I hope at the time of the trip I am all healed so I can enjoy the sweet surf off Huntington Beach.
I was a coach on the 2001 trip to Huntington Beach and I enjoyed the experience with the team and meeting so many lovely people, as well as experiencing the relaxed style of Huntington Beach itself. It will be great to show the Huntington team Piha too and what our little piece of heaven is like.

Antony Smith

Hi there, my name is Ants…. I’m a Pisces, 5”10’ 171lbs, dark blonde hair and blue eyes. I like butterflies and enjoy long romantic walks on the beach and I’m looking for…. Oh wait, it’s not that type of profile….
My involvement at Piha started following my father around. I’ve been a nipper running around in speedos and cap, eating sand and chasing waves. I was out at the beach until I was about 12. When I was at college I did not get out to Piha much. I went back to lifeguarding at the age of 20 and have been there ever since. I’m now D Patrol captain and the Power Craft Officer. I’ve gained a few lifeguarding qualifications: IRB operators, IRB Instructors, 1st aid level one and two, ATV operator, and am working towards an IRB Examiners qualification.
I graduated with my Bachelor in Engineering last year. I work as a Mechanical Engineer. I’m currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Business.
I ride a BMX freestyle bike and go hunting in my spare time.
With my experiences at Piha I’d have a few stories to tell and places to show the Huntington guards when they come over to
New Zealand.
Look forward to meeting you all, Ants.

Peter Brown

Hi my name is Peter Brown. I am President of Piha SLSC and also manager of this Piha exchange with Huntington. I also was manager of the last Huntington exchange. Every exchange is different as you have a completely different group of Piha SLSC guards. All having different skill sets and personalities. I am excited to bring this team to Huntington in July 2009 as they are a great group of people.
Each exchange gets harder to fund. But I have to thank the unbelievable group of parents that got behind this and put a huge amount of their time into organising fund raising activities over the last twelve months. To raise over $100,000 in this time was truly amazing.
This trip is especially exciting for me as my daughter Amelia is in the team, like a number of our team some of our kids have waited since they were four years of age to finally get on this trip. I know our Piha team will do us proud in USA. Already we (Piha) are planning the return trip from Huntington in December 2009 and January 2010.
We will have some great trips organised and also the shear thrill of swimming at one of the most dangerous (but best) beaches in NZ. I am really looking forward to catching up with the friends I made on the last trip and spending time with all the coaches and team from Huntington.