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The summer lifeguard patrols started on Labour Weekend with both Omaha Beach and Mangawhai Surf Lifesaving Clubs both looking forward to a busy season.
Omaha has four crews – Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta – who are on a one weekend in four duty roster.
During October and November they will patrol from 11am to 4pm, then from December to April, the patrol will extend from 11am to 5pm.
Omaha has been running a winter programme for new lifeguards, which saw another 13 guards pass their exam this month. Omaha also sent three teams to the 90 Mile IRB Classic Race last month.
“Even though we didn’t come in the top 10, we’re proud of the effort these teams of lifeguards put in, especially the girls where the boat and motor were considerably heavier than they were,” a club spokesperson said.
Junior surf will start on November 13 and the club will host the junior carnival Auckland All In on November 26.
President Linda Crisford says although Covid interrupted many club activities, carnivals and training, the club has worked together, stayed focused on its core business of keeping people safe on and around the beaches, and succeeded.
“Omaha kept the mental health and physical wellbeing of our members at the forefront of all we did,” Crisford says. “This ensured we continued to maintain strong caring positive communication within our club and could move forward into this coming season.
“These are the values that enabled us to win Club of the Year this year, an award that was won by everyone.”
Crisford thanked sponsors Bayleys and Javln for their continued support.
Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguards returned to the beach on Labour Weekend and ran a mass lifeguard refresher course, lead by the club’s chief instructor Jess Costello. Volunteer lifeguards will patrol Mangawhai Heads on weekends and public holidays through to Easter.
This season will also feature the second year of the Rookie Lifeguard Programme, with junior lifeguards between ages 12 and 14 years training on the beaches alongside qualified guards. The club has a 10-strong group of rookies. Alongside this, there is a group of 25 trainee lifeguards who will complete an exam over the summer period.
The Junior Surf Programme for five to 12-year-olds starts on Sunday, November 6, with over 150 “nippers” registered for the weekly beach training sessions. Nippers do water and beach activities, and have the opportunity to compete in carnivals throughout the summer.
The club is also excited to add a new RWC (Rescue Water Craft) to its rescue capabilities, with a team of eight recently-qualified RWC operators and a further four in training.
Club publicity officer Tony Baker says the RWC is an amazing rescue asset that can be used to support both day-to-day lifeguarding operations and after-hours search and rescue. MHVLS thanked Mangawhai Opportunity Factory, Four Square Mangawhai Heads, Pub Charity, Tara Iti and The Club Mangawhai for helping the club obtain the RWC.
The club’s Search & Rescue (SAR) Squad has responded to a number of after hours rescues during the off-season, and continues to train and up skill in SAR operations.
Other club events include the Jackman Waterman Classic (12km long distance race) in December, along with the 30th anniversary of the Lifeguard Longboard Nationals in February. The club will also celebrate a major milestone with its 60th anniversary on April 8.
“We would like to thank the local community and businesses for their ongoing support,” Tony says. “We look forward to seeing you all on the beach this summer.”
