LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 13

LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT

Sir, —I think it would have been as well if your correspondent "A Swimmer" had read my letter more carefully before rushing to reply to it. He would then have observed that I did not refer to nor mention "our east coast beaches," but to "all" our beaches. Brown's Bay beach and many more local beaches are quite safe for "paddlers," but swimmers using them are not safe, and as proof of this the local Surf Club members have this season given assistance to no less than five persons in distress. Again, "A Swimmer's" remark, "it is only on rare occasions that accidents occur" shows that bathers are not quite safe, and it is on these occasions that trained life-savers are needed and appreciated. Apparently "A Swimmer" is not wide enough awake to observe what takes place in front of his own door. The fact that "A Swimmer" has lived for 14 years during Christmas vacations and "no accident requiring a special reel or line has occurred during that time," cuts no ice whatever. Compare the number of people bathing to-day, also the increase and type of watercraft, with 14 years ago. I draw "A Swimmer's" attention to the report of an accident which occurred off Rothesay Bay, appearing in Friday's Herald, and especially to the fact that the rescuer, Mr. A. A. Pond, is a vice-president of the Eastern United Surf Life-saving Club. With regard to Long Bay Beach, I have lived beside it for many years, and during the season use it almost daily, but 1 am certainly very glad that it is patrolled by two trained surf men. It is considered to be quite as safe a beach as any. l?e Orewa Beach, I draw " A Swimmer's" attention to a letter over the signature W. F. Green, which appears in the same column as his own. Also, arrangements are now being made by officers of the Surf Association for the protection of bathers on this beach. The members of our local club would be quite willing, 1 know, to patrol this beach (although out of this district! if "A Swimmer" and the rest of the public will guarantee their transport and pay for their equipment. With regard to "A Swimmer's" concluding remark re the local club being a "purely social club," the Eastern United Surf Club is by no means a social club, nor is any other club affiliated with the Life-saving Association. I have been identified with the local club almost from its birth, and have not yet seen any social function of any kind held, excepting those few held for the purpose of raising funds to purchase the club's present equipment. Herein the public failed, and the members did the work themselves. The rule of the club is that no donation can possibly be used excepting for the purchase, upkeep and housing of gear. Morley A. Ellick, Vice-president Eastern United Surf Life-saving Club.