LIFE-SAVING SEASON

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 64, 9 December 1940, Page 10

LIFE-SAVING SEASON

Official Opening At Lyall Bay DURRANT SHIELD EVENTS There was a large attendance at the official opening of the 1.940-41 lile-saving season in Wellington at Lyall Bay on .Saturday afternoon, when ideal weather prevailed. . The programme opened with a niiirelipast of life-saving I ants, which then formed up in front of the Maranui clubhouse. Mr. W. H. Gerrie, deputy-president ol the New Zealand Surf Life-Saving Association. congratulated the members-of the clubs on the good work they had done. The war had resulted in a big drain on lilesaving clubs, he said, and they now looked to the juniors, the older men, and the women to carry on the sttrl and life-sav-ing activities. The mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, in declaring the season open, said he was very glad to sec the progress in spile of difficulties caused by swimmers going to the war. He congratulated all responsible for the formation of the women s club and added that he was glad to see the Air Force team present. "The work you are doing is of vital importance.” he said.

“It is essential that every youngster should learn to swim.” He wished all clubs the best of luck, and expressed the hope that they would have a first-class season. A major attraction of the afternoon was the appearance of the recentlyformed Lyall Bay Ladies-’ .Surf and LiteSaving Club’s team. Other clubs represented were Worser Buy. Lyall Bay, Island Bay, Titahi Bay, and Maranui. There were also a women’s team and a junior team from Titahi Bay. and a team from the R.N.Z.A.F. station. Rongotai. Mrs. Norman, president of the women's club, said the girls had shown great promise, and would till the gap made by the boys going overseas. The afternoon was occupied with a series of water and life-saving events for the Durrant Memorial Shield, which goes to the club with the highest aggregate points at the end of the day.

Results were:— Maranui, with 31 points, won the Durrant Shield. Lyall Bay were second, with 28 points, and Island Bay third, with 8 points. Individual events resulted :—

March Past—Lyall Bay. 1 : Lyall Bay Ladies, 2; Maranui, 3. Senior Surf Race. —Lyall Bay, 1; Maranui, 2 ; Worser Bay, 3. Junior Four-man Alarm. —Maranui. 1; Titahi Bay, 2. Beach Belt Race.— Island Bay. 1 ; Maranui, 2; Lyall Bay, 3. Beach Relay.—Lyall Bay. 1; Island Buy, 2 : Worser Bay, 3.

Musical Flags.—Lyall Bay, 1: Maranui, 2: Lyall Bay. 3. Senior Six-men R. and R.—Maranui, 1 ; Lyall Bay, 2. Junior Surf Race.- —-Maranui, 1. The only finishers.

lOOyds. Beach Sprint.—Maranui. 1; Lyall Bay. 2; Maranui, 3.