SURF NOTES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 15

SURF NOTES

The Value of Life-saving Clubs CANTERBURY’S CHANGE OF VIEW

(By

SURFER.)

With the advent of warmer weather the thoughts of all swimmers aud lifesavers naturally turn to the baths, the sea, or almost any stretch of water in which to cool their bodies aud gain fresh strength for the battle of life. During the few days when the sun has decided to pay us a visit the water has become appreciably warmer and the more persistent lovers of the sun have begun to show a decided colour of brown. Unfortunately weather conditions in Wellington in the early summer leave much to be desired, and in consequence the sport of swimming and surfing is slow to burst forth into full vigour and life. Up to the moment Wellington has not experienced any summer at all, and the result of changeable weather conditions is to be seen in empty baths and beaches. However, true to tradition, the surf clubs have opened their seasons, and the more hardy_ are gradually working up their enthusiasm by short dashes into the surf and out again. Tho Value of Surf Clubs.

The art of swimming can be divided into three spheres: still-water swimming, surfing, and life-saving. Each branch is in itself important, and they are closely co-related. In the first place it is essential to be able to swim properly to enjoy surfing thoroughly on any of our beaches, and life-saving is important in that it teaches and encourages one to so improve one’s ability in the surf as to be able to render assistance in case of need. And there is great need for surf life-savers in New Zealand. We are completely surro (led by the sea, and in many places good sea beach for surfing and swimming is close by. Yet. each year we read of foolhardy individuals who endanger their lives and their rescuers by venturing out into heavy surf without a full knowledge of the dangers ahead and the way to overcome those dangers. It. is because of those thoughtless people that surf and life-saving clubs have sprung up all over New Zealand. It is estimated that the number of active surf chibs in the Dominion at present is 56, and the total of lives that have been saved in the few years the great majority of \ these clubs have been in existence is approximately 2000. During the 1935 season about 150 persons were rescued on the various beaches of New Zealand. The figures prove the great value of surf life-saving clubs to the Dominion. Each year sees the surf movement growing steadily. In 1932 it was deemed necessary and desirable that a New Zealand Surf Life-saving Association should be formed. This association is to-day in a very sound position, and its importance is growing with its years. The Government realises the great humanitarian work which life-savers perform, and has assisted the surf association ns well as the swimming and lifesaving associations financially.

Popularity of Surfing. The sphere of surf swimming is destined to become more popular as the years go by. We have plenty of tine beaches aud breakers to go with them and the water, for at least a Few months of the year, is warm. What more could one desire except perhaps the skill required to shoot the breakers, with or without, a surf-board, and to be able to obtain the maximum amount of pleasure from sea-bathing. There are few sports in the world to equal the thrill obtained in “shooting” a breaker./ ft calls for considerable skill and practice and courage, also when the breakers are particularly large. It is only natural therefore that as the sport of surfing becomes more popular the danger of accidents becomes greater and in consequence a greater degree of vigilance will be required by surf members. The growth of the movement was visualised some years ago by prominent Wellington mon connected with surf clubs and they are responsible for a New Zealand organisation being formed. This organisation is doing wonderful work, particularly in regard to co-ordinating the movement throughout the Dominion. Canterbury’s Change of Mind.

It is interesting to note the remarks of Mr. D. V. Wilson, one of the Canterbury representatives to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Surf Life-saving. Association held in 'Wellington recently on his return to Christchurch. Canterbury has been hard to bring into the association, due probably to the belief that no one could teach them anything about surf work, and possibly also due to a certain amount of feeling that Wellington was trying to dominate the surf movement throughout New Zealand. The complete change of thought on the part of Canterbury’s delegates speaks volumes for the way in which the surf movement has been organised and controlled , in Wellington, and also is a tribute to the fair-mindedness of the Canterbury delegates who attended the annual meeting of the association. Speaking at a recent meeting of the Canterbury Surf Life-sav-ing Association, Mr. D. V. Wilson is reported to have declared that Canterbury wits.well behind in surf organisation. As a result of his trip to the annual meeting of the surf association he had changed his views entirely on the outlook that [ should be adopted by the Canterbury as-

soeiatiou and realised that early steps would have to be taken to bring Canterbury into line with other centres. “We are miles behind,” Mr. Wilson declared. “I have been converted, possibly not to the extent you might imagine, but certainly from the point, of view where we have endowed ourselves within a small circle and imagined we were setting the pace for others to follow. We have a tremendous leeway to make up, for now we are in the position of not being the 'boys’ we thought we were. Some of the things we met with were a revelation, and the Auckland organisation, for instance, was an eye-opener. “Where we fell out of step in the past was in disagreeing with proposals put forward from ’Wellington and failing to offer alternative constructive suggestions, and the opinion we had of alleged Wellington domination did not prove itself in the light of results.” Mr. Wilson added that practically anything the Canterbury delegates suggested at the meeting they got because the northern delegates were quite open to reason. He felt there was a big “job of work” to be done in the coming season or there was a great danger of Canterbury being open to severe ridicule at the time of the visit of the Australian surfers. They would have to overhaul their system and reconcile themselves to the fact that the sooner they got on the right track the better The association had put the clubs definitely on the wrong track and would now have to turn round and remedy the position. They would havo to change their policy with the least possible delay and realise that the criticism directed at Wellington was not justified. “We have to be part of the show,” Mr. Wilson concluded, "and not be in it when it suits ns.” In view of the tireless efforts that have been made by Wellington to place the New Zealand Surf Life-saving Association ou a sound basis, to so organise the movement that each centre will reap the benefits accruing, it must be pleasing to the officials to note that at last Canterbury are getting behind the association in a spirit of co-operation.