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Senior lifeguards such as Jamie Peterson have had their competitive season curtailed by Covid.
Omaha Beach Surf Lifesaving will wrap up a successful season on Easter weekend, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 lockdowns.
A total of 232 children participated in the junior surf programme this year, nearly 70 more than last year.
Club president Linda Crisford says the programme is delivered by dedicated coaches, managers, parents and junior surf committee members, who go out of their way to provide a fun and skill-based programme.
“It is these young people who will go on to become our lifeguards in the future,” Linda says.
Due to Covid alert level changes, two senior surf carnivals – the Northern Region Senior & Masters Championships and the TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships – were cancelled.
“But despite this, our competitive athletes have continued to perform outstandingly within the club,” he says.
Four senior lifeguards gained their Patrol Captain Lifeguard Award this season. They were Ruth Tanner, Stephanie Earley, Sophie Martin and Katherine Nicholls.
The club also had six new guards qualify in February and six more will do their exam in April, under the guidance of lifeguard instructor Andrew Cowan.
The club has 11 newly-qualified First Aid Level 1, seven Level 2 and three at Level 3.
“This is a great support for our community,” Linda says.
“Omaha placed third in the BP Rescue of the Month in December, another testimony to the diligence and professionalism of our guards.”
Linda says that while Omaha patrols will finish at Easter and won’t resume until Labour Weekend in October, the workload of volunteers never stops. IRB crew person and drivers’ training and lifeguard courses will held in July and August, run by Rob and Stephanie Earley.
