21 November 2013

An investment in New Zealand’s water safety

Waikuku Surf Life Saving Club in North Canterbury has just received four new surf skis thanks to a $10,000 grant from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT). The surf skis will assist the training and recruitment of volunteers in the largest surf lifesaving club in the Canterbury district.

The surf skis will help with the fitness training of the club’s young lifeguards and allow them to participate in nationwide competitions that, before receiving the skis, they were not able to compete in. The skis will also bring an element of fun and recreation to the club’s volunteers.

Surf lifesaving is an essential part of New Zealand’s culture and water safety activities - particularly in Waikuku. The club has a large catchment area, as it is the only club north of the Waimakairi River. The club patrols the area directly in front of the Waikuku Surf Club and has the ability to do roving patrols to the Ashley River mouth and to the town of Pegasus. The club is run by hard working volunteers – and has 350 current members including 62 lifeguards.

“Having the new skis will be great for the fitness, water experience and retention of our youth members, especially as there are so many other activities on offer for young people today,” says Tania Baily, vice president of Waikuku Surf Life Saving Club.

“The skis will help us maintain youth interest and involvement in the club,” she says. “Two of the four skis are specifically sized to fit teenage paddlers, because the club is particularly keen to attract young members who can become the future lifeguards of New Zealand.”

Tania says the Waikuku Surf Life Saving Club is very grateful for NZCT’s assistance, and she hopes the new skis will help Waikuku gain national titles in future competitions.

Stephen Boock, Chairman of NZCT’s Canterbury Regional Advisory Committee, says NZCT is supportive of activities that get young people active and involved in their community.

“Surf Lifesaving is a wonderful activity because it involves sport, competition, community service, first aid and water survival techniques – all fantastic life skills for any young person to have,” says Stephen.

“NZCT is one of the largest funders of amateur sport in New Zealand and is proud to support Waikuku Surf Life Saving Club by returning money to the Canterbury community in which it was raised,” he says.

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