Kia ora Surf Life Saving whānau,

What a busy month it’s been! Hot weather has swept across the country drawing thousands of people to the beaches to cool off.  We’ve seen huge numbers, particularly on Waitangi Day with over a 1,000 people recorded at a number of locations, and a staggering 6,000 at Long Bay Beach

The sheer volume of people, mixed with hot conditions, has no doubt been challenging for those of you lifeguarding.  Many beachgoers have also been caught out with dehydration, sun stroke, and even burnt feet – a topic that caught the imagination of media outlets including TV3’s Newshub.  You’ll find their story below.

In this month’s Member News, you’ll also find a great Bluebridge Ferry discount for those travelling to national events, an awesome profile piece on a Maranui clubbie’s journey to Oceans, and the January bp Rescue of the Month winners.

Happy reading and ka kite anō.

Upcoming National Sport Events – Key Dates and Information

The start of the year can be a hectic time, so to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Surf Life Saving movement, we’ve put together a list of all the sport competitions that are coming up.  Trom Juniors through to Masters, IRB’s to the pool, we’ve got it all laid out.  All you need to do is click here and make note of what’s relevant to you.

Excitement Builds for Oceans: Festival of Junior Lifesaving

The countdown is well and truly on for Oceans: Festival of Junior Lifesaving.  It’s the biggest junior carnival in the country and will be taking place at Mount Maunganui Beach in Tauranga from 22 – 25 February.  Juniors from all corners of New Zealand will be taking part, including Isaac Goodwin from Maranui SLSC in Wellington.  Isaac and his dad, Daniel, are looking forward to the event.  Click here to read their story.

Kiwis Deliver at Nutri-Grain Iron Series

New Zealand stars, Joe Collins and Olivia Corrin, delivered outstanding performances in the Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman competitions in Australia, achieving career-best results.  Finishing in second and third places on the overall series ladder, they battled hard until the very end!  Throughout the entire series, they also served as fantastic ambassadors for Kiwis, and we can’t wait to see where they head next.  Click here to read more.

bp Rescue of the Month

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023/2024 January bp Rescue of the Month.  Blue skies and warm temperatures saw thousands of people heading to beaches to cool off, resulting in a high number of rescues.  However, four stood out. Click here to read more.

Nominations for February bp Rescue of the Month are now open.  For more information and a nomination form click here.

SLSNZ Member Marks End of Term on NZSAR Council

December 2023 marked the end of Michael Bassett-Foss’s four-year term as an Independent Member of the NZSAR Council.  Michael’s role on the Council was to represent the interests of the non-Government agencies involved in search and rescue – a challenge he undertook with gusto.  Well done to Michael, who is a Waimārama SLSC member and SLSNZ Life Member.  We know your advice was hugely valuable to the Council. Click here to read more.

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries Discount

It’s a busy time of the year for the Surf Life Saving community with events being held right around the country.  To make life a bit easier, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries is offering 20% off all Bluebridge Retail Flexi Sail fares for anyone travelling to national events between 17 February and 31 March.  So, get in quick and make the most of this great deal by clicking here and learning more.

Hearing From Those Who Have Been Rescued

Nothing is more powerful than hearing from people who have been rescued by surf lifeguards.  Their perspective puts you right in the driver’s seat and shows just how important the role of a surf lifeguard is.  This month we heard from Mike Foley, a Whangamatā resident who got himself into trouble during the trip to Whenuakura (Donut Island).  He couldn’t speak more highly of the surf lifeguards who rescued him.  Click here to read his story.

TVNZ Sunday to air Story on Surf Lifesaving

Over the past few months, TVNZ’s current affairs programme Sunday has been filming and interviewing surf lifeguards around the country.  They’ve been looking at the crucial role surf lifeguards play when responding to emergencies and the role they play in their communities.  Tune in to TVNZ1 on Sunday, 18 February at 7:30pm to see the full story.

Whanganui Chronicle Celebrates Junior Surf Carnival

Surf Life Saving clubs from across the North Island descended on Castlecliff Beach for the Wanganui Surf Lifeguard Service’s first junior carnival in 45 years!  The Whangauni Chronical did an article on the historic event, which saw 140 kids take part.  Congratulations to everyone involved, and well done to those that took part.   We can’t wait for next year’s event!  Click here to read the full article.

Newshub Pushes Important Safety Message

Newshub did a great story about burnt feet and black sand beaches.  The reporter headed out to Piha Beach on an incredibly hot day and managed to capture some great shots of people getting caught out.  It was a great reminder about making sure you always have jandals handy!  Click here to watch the full story.

Bay of Plenty Times Details Impressive Rescue

There have been plenty of incredible rescues this season.  The Bay of Plenty Times highlighted one carried out by surf lifeguard Flynn Weatherall who rescued a girl after she and two family members were swept off a sandbank into a rip at Arataki Beach in Mount Maunganui.  The article gives more details on the rescue, and Flynn also shares some important safety messages.  Click here to read more.

KFC Super 6’s for Surf

This season we were paying more attention than ever to the Dream 11 Super Smash competition, and for good reason!  For every six smashed during the series our mates at KFC donated $100 to SLSNZ.  All up they raised $34,400!  

On top of this, for every six hit during the ‘KFC Super Over for Surf’ at the T20 Black Clash, KFC donated $1,000 to SLSNZ.  All up they raised $23,000!

We couldn’t be more stoked and want to thank everyone involved – what a fantastic result.

NZ Uniforms Creates Merchandise for Oceans ‘24

NZ Uniforms is one of SLSNZ’s longstanding partners providing uniforms and event merchandise to surf lifeguards and sport teams.  This year, they’re back and will have some fresh new merchandise for Oceans: Festival of Junior Lifesaving.  So, if you’re going to be in Mount Maunganui for the event, which will be running from 22 – 25 February, make sure you check out the NZ Uniforms merchandise tent to grab some for yourself.

CREDIT:  Mangawhai Museum

Waipu Cove SLSC members who competed against their fellow surf lifeguards at Mangawhai Heads.  This competition was held in 1971. Brian Cossar is standing in front of Waipu Cove SLSC wearing belt.