OPUNAKE SURF CLUB

Opunake Times, 19 August 1932, Page 2

OPUNAKE SURF CLUB

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. FAVOUR NEW ASSOCIATION The executive of the Opunake Surf Club met on Wednesday uight to discuss a letter from the Royal Life Saving Society re the recent formation of a New Zealand Surf Association. In outlining the reason for forming such a body Mr. J. N. Stephenson said that for a number of seasons the.e had been dissatisfaction over the methods and rules governing, not only national championship meetings but also local competitions. This was due probably to- the fact that the governing body, the Royal Life Saving Society, is concerned with every branch of life-saving including instruction to school children and still-water work, thus surf work did not receive the continual attention that is required. The idea really originated in Canterbury where for a number of seasons they have based their competitions on the up-to-date rules and methods as used in Australia. These regulations, the first and most modern to be found anywhere in the world, completely eradicate unnecessary land-drill. This has a double and vital effect. It aims at a maximum of proficiency in water-work, giving every team an equal and fair chance to attain the highest possible efficiency and what is equally" as important it arouses tense public interest and support. The average man in the street judges mostly by a team's capabilities in the water, not on land, and under the Australian system water-work is the main feature. The new association will take charge of all surf life saving in the Dominion and control the national surf championship, and present indications are that every centre will support the new body. The districts embraced will be Wellington, Taranaki, Mahawatu, Hawke's Bay, Auckland, Wanganui, Canterbury, Otago,and Southland. There may be trouble over the governing centre of the association, as Canterbury made the first move, but details and -arrangements should soon be to hand.

In conclusion Mr. Stephenson said that he honestly believed that at last this was a step in the right direction, and would be a big thing to surf clubs throughout the Dominion.

Members unanimously decided to support the new association.