“Without officials, sport will not happen.”
It’s a simple statement from Pāpāmoa clubbie Jo Miller, recently appointed Event Referee for National Pool Rescue — and it perfectly sums up what our club needs as we head into the summer season.
With our number of surf sports athletes growing year on year across juniors, seniors, and masters, we’re in a great position — but we need the people behind the scenes to make it all happen.
For every 10 athletes, we need at least one official. Without enough officials, we risk having to limit entries at carnivals, meaning some of our athletes could miss out on competing.
The good news is that officiating is far more accessible than many people realise. You don’t need to be a lifeguard, and you don’t need prior experience. Parents, grandparents, and supporters can all get involved, with full training provided and no expectation to attend every event.
Jo’s journey shows exactly what’s possible.
Starting as a parent supporting her children and helping as a team manager, she gradually moved into officiating — and has now progressed to leading one of the pinnacle events on the Surf Life Saving NZ calendar.
“It is an honor to be given the responsibility of leading this pinnacle event on SLSNZ calendar.”
“I have seen this event grow from a very small event to the festival it is now. I am very proud to have grown from a parent to a team manager and through the ranks of officiating to lead the event for the past few years.”
For Jo, officiating is about more than just running events — it’s about building the environment that makes surf lifesaving special.
“Officiating is very rewarding. Without officials, sport will not happen and the movement will lose talented lifeguards. Surf lifesaving is a unique situation where sport and community service are combined and officiating provides an opportunity for club members to volunteer in another capacity that helps develop our young people into great community members.”
She also reflects on what has kept her involved over the years:
“I really enjoy seeing the development of people. Over the years I've seen athletes, coaches, managers, NZSLS staff, officials all develop their skills and reach milestones that are outstanding.”
And while roles like Event Referee sit at the top level, every official starts with the basics — helping on the beach, supporting events, and learning along the way.
Alongside making a real difference, there are some great perks: a front-row seat to the action, a social day at the beach, and being part of a supportive club community.
This season, we’re asking our community to step forward — whether that’s for one event or a few across the summer. You don’t need to commit to everything. Start small, give it a go, and build from there if you enjoy it. The more officials we have, the more we can share the load — making it manageable and enjoyable for everyone.
Get started by attending the level 1 course on 2 August: BOP Surf Officials Level 1 Course
No previous experience is required and every official makes a difference — and you might just find, like Jo, it’s the start of something bigger.
