Mechanical beach patrol

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33045, 12 October 1972, Page 30

Mechanical beach patrol

A yellow and blue utility vehicle will become a familiar sight on the South Brighton beach at week-ends this summer. On Sunday, the South Brighton Surf Life-Saving Club will dedicate the vehicle which will be used to patrol about six miles of beach between the clubhouse and the estuary spit. The colours of the vehicle are those of the club, and it will be the first patrol of its type established on Canterbury beaches. Money to buy the vehicle has been raised by the club but it will have oil and petrol sponsored by the Parade Garage. Three two-way radios will give contact with the vehicle.

the clubhouse and static patrols which may be set up along the stretch of beach. The clubhouse in turn can be in contact by telephone with air-sea rescue or the Sumner lifeboat. Weather permitting, it is proposed that the patrol van will be on duty on Saturdays during the summer from 1 to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The vehicle will be used solely for club patrols. Also on Sunday, the club will launch a new surf boat. Much of the money for this has also been raised by the club, but Schweppes has been a part sponsor. Hole-ln-one. — A 73-year-old member of the Waltemata club. C. B. Thomas, has scored his fourth hole-in-one. His latest was at the Huapai club, when he holed a 3-wood at the 141-yard second.