Media Release
January 12, 2008
Trainee Lifeguard spots surfer in trouble

An early morning surfer is relieved that a Surf Life Saving Northern Region lifeguard training course was being held at Muriwai today.

At 8.50am this morning (Saturday January 19, 2008) a surfer in difficulty was spotted at Muriwai by 16-year-old Piha Surf Club Member, Sophie Watt, who was at Muriwai for the lifeguard training course.

As Sophie came over the Muriwai sand dunes she spotted the surfer and quickly alerted the two Surf Life Saving Northern Region trainers, Ross Pounds and Faron Turner, that there was a potential off-duty rescue situation.

Ross and Faron responded and located a 29 year old male surfer in lots of pain. The two lifeguards discovered that the surfer had been hit by his surfboard when falling of a wave resulting in a possible fractured femur.

The lifeguards retrieved a stretcher for the patient and called Surfcom to request an ambulance. Once the situation had been sorted, the two trainers resumed the course.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region Development Officer Ross Pounds says it was great that Sophie responded the way she did – especially as she was at Muriwai on a training course to become an accredited surf lifeguard.

"She acted as a lifeguard and responded in the appropriate way. Had she not identified the man was in trouble and then alerted us to the situation the surfer could have been in pain for a much longer period of time."

ENDS

For more information on Surf Life Saving Northern Region visit: www.lifesaving.org.nz

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