SURFING HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 10

SURFING HINTS.

WEST COAST BEACHES.

CLUB CAPTAIN'S ADVICE-

"Surf bathing, healthiest of summer pastimes, has attained tremendous popularity in Auckland during recent years," said Mr. Wilson, captain of the recentlyformed Piha Surf Club. "Thousands of people go to the West Coast beaches during the summer week-ends, and for these the following hints may prove useful:—

(1) Don't bathe directly after a meal

(2) Don't bathe outside the area indi cated by flags 011 the beach.

(3) Don't bathe in quiet or secluded spot,* where the beach is unattended. (4) On entering the water pick out a suitable landmark on the beach, and see that the cross currents do not carry you away from that point, as unconsciously -you may drift into an outrunning current.

(5) Don't fret excited if caught in the undertow. Signal for help by raising your arm to the perpendicular, adopt a floating position until help arrives.

(0) Don't struggle if seized by cramp. Signal for help and maintain a floating position. Try and keep the affected part still.

(7) Don't struggle against the current; swim diagonally across it.

(8) Don't interfere when a rescue is being performed by qualified life-savers.

'Mr. C. F. Holt reports that the reel and line are to hand and will be on the Piha Beach during Anniversary weekend. Although the club has sufficient men to operate the reel, it is not always possible for each man to attend every week-end. therefore it is necessary to have a large membership in order to ensure the presence of at least ten men. The committee will be pleased to receive further members, who will be instructed in the latest life-saving methods, which will prove beneficial to themselves and to the bathers they desire to protect.

Officers of surf clubs undertake voluntarily more responsibilities than arc realised by the general public. The primary reason for the training of teams is for the savincr of life, and there is no real responsibility on members of surf clubs to protect other people who choose to take risks in bathinsr. That they do so shows the spirit that animates the clubs, for members not only train to risk their own lives for the sake of others, but give up their time to the voluntary patrolling of beaches to guard others against danger.