Surf Life Saving NSW's annual awards of excellence event featured 180 finalists from across the state and celebrates the outstanding achievements of volunteer surf lifesavers across surf sports, education, administration, membership and lifesaving.

This year, the awards were hosted virtually due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

The Camden Haven SLSC member was overwhelmed by the win.

To win this prestigious title, lifesavers must have demonstrated sustained contributions to frontline patrol services and the wider Surf Life Saving movement.

Tony is in many ways, the backbone of the small club as director of lifesaving and club captain.

Tony is also a member of the club's emergency callout team and has been involved in some significant rescues.

In 2017 he received a Meritorious Award from Surf Life Saving Australia for a daring and brave rescue which saved the life of a young mother.

For the past five seasons Tony has achieved the top patrolling hours for his club and branch - volunteering an incredible 700 hours.

"I love it, I love everything about Surf Life Saving. It's my passion," Tony said.

"We do so much training at our club, to be rescue ready, and we know that in the blink of an eye, anything can happen on the beach and someone could be in serious trouble."

The Camden Haven Club was also nominated for Administrator of the Year - Jenny Cooper and Young Lifesaver of the Year - Rachel Hosick.

Steve Monaghan of the Wauchope-Bonny Hills SLSC was named Coach of the Year.

His passion is surf boats and his guidance and mentoring has shown some very strong results for the Mid North Coast Branch and the WBHSLSC.

"It's always nice to be nominated for an award, however as any coach knows, there are so many good people contributing to any athlete's success.

"I have noticed that at the larger successful clubs, there is a strong respectful culture.

"This is something we have been working on at a club level for a while and it is starting to pay off," Mr Monaghan said.

Wauchope-Bonny Hills was also nominated for Surf Sports Team of the Year - Surf Boat Crew 'The Full Cassowaries' and and Community Education Program of the Year.

Stephanie Clarke for Tacking Point SLSC was nominated for Youth Volunteer of the Year while Tom Osborne earned a mention in the Youth Athlete of the Year, Sandra Slattery in the Volunteer of the Year and Raylene Myers in the Masters Athlete of the Year nominations.

Port Macquarie's Max Milligan received a nomination for Lifeguard of the Year.

Surf Life Saving NSW President, George Shales OAM said the virtual Awards of Excellence were a resounding success and worked brilliantly to bring all 129 NSW surf clubs together, despite the COVID-19 restrictions, to celebrate the outstanding efforts of members from the 75,000-strong membership.

"Last season was one of the toughest on record with bushfires along the NSW coast and the impact of the coronavirus ending the summer patrol season early," Mr Shales said.

"Despite the challenges we faced, our volunteers rose to the occasion - and they continue to do so in support of their communities. Each year our volunteer surf lifesavers put hundreds of thousands of hours into protecting the public on our beaches, but this year our members responded well beyond the beach and into the wider community.

"We couldn't be prouder of the way our volunteers displayed courage, bravery and resilience in some of the harshest conditions. They are innovators, leaders, educators, athletes, watermen and women.

"They have proven themselves to be among the most skilled first responders on the NSW coastline and we are delighted to recognise the best in each field at our annual Awards of Excellence."

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