Recognition of surf movement lacking

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 19

Recognition of surf movement lacking

Although considered a minor sport, surf life-saving is probably the most important in New Zealand because it combines with active participation, the saving of lives.

Every year hundreds of people are pulled from the surf around the New Zealand coastline, and last year there were 36 rescues made on Canterbury beaches by surf patrols.

Equipment, and extensions and repairs to clubhouses are all costly and the majority of the money which is spent is raised through the club members. Clubs are fortunate that equipment is sponsored by various business firms and service clubs, but usually any work that has to be done on clubhouses comes from the efforts of the clubs although some receive various grants and if they are lucky, are left legacies by old chib members. The Christchurch City Council and Waimairi County Council recognise the work of the clubs and the Canterbury association by making annual grants to help pay for patrols at Christchurch beaches during the height of the holiday period. However, these patrols only operate during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on public holidays and week-ends the safety of the public is back in the hands of club patrols.

This year the Canterbury association is putting its first paid patrol at Pines Beach because of the increased popularity at the beach over the last few years. But the association will have to pay for the cost of the patrol from its own funds — about $l6O — because there has been no local body grant made towards a patrol at this beach. With the increasing

popularity of beaches north of Christchurch the association is aware it will need patrols in the not very distant future, but again finance and finding patrols for the weekends and public holidays is a problem. There are no clubs established at beaches like Waikuku, Leithfield and Woodend and this creates difficulty in having persons available for patrols. The association feels that Waikuku is probably the beach which most warrants a patrol because of its proximity to the Ashley

River which often creates dangerous currents along the beach. Sponsorship of equipment, particularly more expensive items like surf boats and surf canoes, is usually minimal with the clubs paying the majority of the cost. Clubs are most grateful though for any aid. Service clubs are appreciative of the work done by the association and clubs and they have sponsored

quite an amount of equipment among the seven Christchurch clubs. A surf boat is a very costly item at $l7OO plus $3OO for a set of oars and a sweep oar, and when they are damaged, as two craft were in the first carnival of the season last Sunday, more expense is involved in repairs. This year, a local firm, Lane, Walker, Rudkin, Ltd, has sponsored wind jackets

and swimming trunks for the patrolmen and with their distinctive red and yellow caps they will be easily recognised by the public. Through all the setbacks clubs manage to keep expanding with the enthusiasm and drive of members who haye the welfare of the public at heart as well as receiving a great deal of satisfaction from a sport which has a special attraction to them.