PATROLLING THE N.Z. BEACHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 20

PATROLLING THE N.Z. BEACHES.

WORK OF LIFE-SAVERS.

National Championships at Milford .Next Week-end.

Surf life-saving can lay a just claim

to being the only sport that has for its ultimate object the protection and pre-

servation of human life. It te, indeed, more than a sport; it is a service out of which has grown a tradition of selfless service second to none. In the twenty-seven years of its history in New Zealand, many gallant deeds have 'been done by members of the life-saving' clubs. Men have died in an endeavour: to save others. Other courageous efforts have met with success, but these gain only the recognition of a duty well done. > $

The votaries of surf life-saving serve without reward. . Unlike kindred clubs in Australia, they are not in charge of the beaches on which they operate. Their task is purely a voluntary one. In some cases, actually surprisingly few, clubs are aided by the local bodies in whose territory the beach is included. Other clubs have managed to get together, by means of various activities, enough money to build clubhouses which they have virtually presented to the local bodies concerned.

To achieve maximum efficiency, lifesavers have to be more than merely good swimmers. Clockwork precision is called upon in handling line and reel so that minimum time is lost.

Aucklanders will have an opportunity to see to what a high pitch of efficiency this humanitarian work has been brought when the national championships are staged at Milford Beach on Saturday and Sunday of next week (February 18 and 19).

The events will be organised by the Surf Life-saving Association (Auckland) which, anticipating great public interest, is having a special stand erected overlooking the contest enclosure.

Seventeen clubs from as far south as Dunedin will compete for the championships. The names of these clubs and their provinces are as follow: —Auckland: Takapuna, Milford, Piha, Waitcmata. Wellington: Marunui, Lyall Bay, Paekakariki. Taranaki: Patea, Ohawe, New Plymouth Old Boys. Fitzroy, Opunakc. Canterbury: North Beach, Taylor's Mistake, New Brighton, Sumner. Otago: St. C'lair.

The entries for the Nelson Shield contest, the senior rescue and resuscitation championship. number 19 teams, representing 16 different clubs. There will be four heats in this event. Five clubs will take part in the junior rescue and resuscitation, the trophy for which is the William Henry Memorial Cup. For the beltman's championship there are 24 entrants from 14 clubs. The marchpast contest has attracted entries from 14 teams, including two girls' teams.

Seventeen clubs have nominated for the four-men alarm championship and seven heats will be necessary. Entries have been received from 11 teams for the surf teams' race. For the senior surfmen's race there are 36 entrants, including nearly all the members of the New Zealand teams that visited Australia last summer. The junior surf teams' race; is likely to be contested by four teams, and the junior eurfmen's race by 24 swimmer*. I

Several Auckland provincial surf lifesaving championships 'were decided at Tauranga last week-end. Owing to unfavourable conditions, teame' eurf events were postponed, and will be contested at the metropolitan championship carnival in Auckland .ehortly. Results:— March Past.—Waitemata 1; Takapuna, 2. Girls' Land Drill.—Mil ford, lj Waitemata, 2. Single-man Rescue.—Takapuna (E. Mcintosh), 1.