SURFING AT PATEA

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1935, Page 3

SURFING AT PATEA

CLUB’S SUCCESSFUL YEAR. ANNUAL MEETING BUSINESS. < —— Keen enthusiasm was apparent among the members of the Patea Surf and LifeSaving Club at the annual meeting on Tuesday. Mr. A. Maxwell presided over a large attendance. . . . Referring to the club’s successes Mr. Maxwell said there was no question of limiting the club’s membership; every young man of good behaviour and amenable to discipline would be welcome to • promote the great work of life-saving. A balance-sheet showing a credit of £ll 5s 3d was adopted. \ The annual report stated that the activities of the club had been maintained and the present position of the club, both numerically and financially, was very satisfactory. The club was represented at the Taranaki championships at Opunake, at the New Zealand championships at New Plymouth and at competitions at Wanganui. While the teams were unplaced at Opunake, the executive was not disheartened, and the prestige of the club was upheld at New, Plymouth, where the swimmers were competing against the best men in New Zealand. At the Wanganui competitions the Patea team was successful in regaining the Hackshaw-Searle Shield. This success was all the more meritorious because of the fact that many of the teams that had competed at the New Zealand championships were present. Practices were held regularly, and the attendance was well maintained.

The “learn to swim” period inaugurated by the club was taken advantage of by the parents in the district, and a considerable number of children presented themselves for instruction. This course of instruction certainly proved popular, and it was expected that the club’s activity in this direction would meet with even greater response from the youngsters during the coming season. ’Hie fact that seven members of the club gained their bronze and surf medallions during the season showed that the instruction to young members was all that could be desired. . '■ ' • : ■

Another innovation of the club which, was well received by the public ; was the “beach 'patrol” on Sundays, holidays and at times when school or other picnic parties congregated at the beach. It was obvious that the beach patrol had been the means of giving parents and children confidence and a feeling of safety that they would not otherwise enjoy. The fact that the club had not been called on during the past year to effect any rescues was due to some extent to the attention paid by the public to the advice given by the patrol as to the avoidance of danger spots, etc. The annual bridge to beach swimming race for the president’s cup, presented by Mr. F. Locker, a past president, was field, and it was, pleasing to note the increase in the number of competitors. The race was won by Eric Oakley for the second time in succession. Mr. B. Currie, the club’s instructor, | was made a life member of the club as a tribute to his J untiring efforts on behalf of. surf and life-saving work at Patea.

An indication that surfing was still popular with the young men of the town was shown by the membership, which was up, to that of the previous year. Exemplary conduct and good discipline were qualifying conditions fotr membership, and the committee trusted that the previous high standard in this respect would be maintained.

The financial position of the club was satisfactory, and the committee had, while financing teams to various competitions and contributing to various funds, etc., conserved the funds in such a manner as to allow the coming season to be opened with a credit balance. Thanks were expressed to those who had assisted the club. Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr. A. Maxwell; vice-presidents, Mr. T. J. Scott and Mr. R. W. Haddow were added; honorary auditor, Mr. E. F. Hemingway; honoraiy secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. Burgess; honorary m- . structor, Mr. A. B. Currie; club captains,' Mr. R. Adams; deputy-captain, Mr. E. Oakley; committee, Messrs. S. Edwards, S. Pauling, Lazarus, Lamb, G. Fraser, N. Taylor; honorary surgeon, Dr. W. T. Simmons; delegates to Taranaki Centre, Messrs. Howell and Harkness.

Appreciation of the Patea Seaside Improvement Society’s action in erecting danger discs with a view to limiting the bathing area was expressed. The suggestion that the society and the club combine to make the official opening day a success was adopted.