SWIMMING AND LIFE SAYING

Opunake Times, 8 December 1931, Page 3

SWIMMING AND LIFE SAYING

THE LOCAL CLUB.

A FINE RECORD. The Opunake Surf Life-Saving Club which was founded in 1923 by Messrs W. Payne and H. Pickering ranks today amongst the leading clubs of the Dominion. For such a comparatively young club it holds a very fine record both in swimming and life-saving. Although the Club lias not been called upon to perform a great number of rescues, people who swim on the local beach during their leisure hours and during holidays, can do so with a feeling of safety, for all the meml>ers of this club are well trained and 'are good swimmers. The niost important rescues that have been 'performed by the club are the rescue of the five Stracks, who were caught in the tail race some yeais ago and the Glreenmeadow's tragedy of January 20th. 1927. In 1927, a team from the club were successful in winning the Pennant competition (Taranaki Junior Championship) and this was the first time a team from the club had taken part in a competition. The Tabor Shield (senior Taranaki Championship) has been the valued possession of the Opunake Life-Sav-ing Club for the past three seasons, Tn the national championships, held at Wellington in 1929, a team comprising Messrs W. E. Smith (capt.), W. McCullum, G. Harrison and A. Sinclair came second in the William Henry Memorial four-man alarm rescue, and G. Harrison was successful in annexing the New Zealand beltman's championship. Again during the past season the club came second in this event and a member, L. Brown, won the bcltman's championship. In 1925-27-28-29 the Grey Cup (Taranaki 33 1-3 yards relay championship) came to Opunake and in 1927 P. Smith won the 100 yards junior championship and also the 50 yards, 75 yards, 100 yards and 150 yards school boys' championships. During 1928 the following Taranaki championships were held hy members of the club : J-mile free style, G. Harrison ; 150 yards backstroke, J. Stronge; 1 mile free style, C. Stronge; Flying Sqt'ftdron relay. ?00 yards per ma: . f> rcn—Opunake. In 1929 l>'o 50 yards free tjle championship w;.s A'.on by W. E. Smith and the Flying Squadc m of 66 2-3 "arls v? nan, 3 men, v. ■t. confiscated by Opunake. ' The club has also Ijeen well represented at the other carnivals by members who have met with considerable success. Last year local ladies commenced to take an active interest in the club and this year should see them greatly improved. Mr. J. N. Stephenson has been connected with the club ever since its inception and has held the office of secretary, treasurer and president. Messrs W. E.,vSmith, captain for five years; S. M. Smith, secretary Sor four years, W. McCullum, L. Brown* B. S. Dudley, P. Smith, are among those who have been connected with the club for a long time. The Opunake Surf ajid Life-Saving club always extends a great welcome to new members; both ladies and men, and anyone wishing to join, has only to pay his yearly subscription to either Mr. L. Brown, treasui-et. or S. M. -Smith, secretary. The club has in stock costumes and blazers for sale, both for ladies and men. The coming year promises to be a most successful one, for besides having the old swimmers there are many promising meiubers wh 0 show great expectations.