BEACH PATROLS

Evening Star, Issue 20374, 4 January 1930, Page 10

BEACH PATROLS

SUITABLE MEM SCARCE ’ DIFFICULTIES EXPLAINED • [Special to tee ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, January 3. Considerable difficulty is being experienced by the Canterbury Surt Association in securing the services of suitable men to undertake the duties of patrols on the surf beaches. Last season patrols were maintained on the principal beaches throughout the bathing season, but so far this season it has been found impossible to make suitable arrangements. A patrol has been found for the north beach, and over the Christmas holidays Messrs C. Cauldwell and J. Breward acted in temporary capacities at New Brighton and Sumner respectively. Their periods of service terminated yesterday, so that at the present time' these beaches are without patrols. The necessity for beach patrols was demonstrated, by the good work these men did last season, and was emphasised only a few days ago when Mr Cauldwell carried out a very meritorious rescue at New Brighton. One of the main difficulties in the way of finding suitable beach patrols is the fact that most of the men who are competent to undertake this work are amateur swimmers to whom tho acceptance of positions as paid beach patrols means the forfeiture of their amateur status. The secretary of the Surf Association stated to-day that but for this fact one or two good swimmers, • who are now out of work, would be prepared to accept positions on beaches until they were able to find employment again. During the last Olympic games the Congress of the International Swimming Federation definitely ruled that amateur swimmers forfeited their amateur status, a ruling by which New Zealand, in common with the other affiliated nations, it bound. The New Zealand Association ruled that amateurs losing their status in this way were not eligible to apply for reinstatement until the expiration of two years from the date of tho offence. Even then the reinstatement would not become operative until six months from the date of granting. The effect therefore is that a beach patrol, has to stand down for three seasons before can pegoifl jibe amateur ranks.