Kia ora Surf Life Saving whānau,

Just like that, the 2023/2024 patrol season has come to an end.  It feels a lifetime ago that we were raising the red and yellow flags for the very first patrols in October.  Since then, surf lifeguards have spent over 238,000 hours on patrol, carried out over 1,600 first aids, and rescued over 850 people.  A big thank you to everyone who took part!

We hope you’re now able to take some time to reflect on the season that’s been and gone.  It’s been busy and for some, challenging.  Remember, if you need to talk to someone you can reach out to Benestar, the counselling and wellbeing provider for SLSNZ members.  You can find out more about this awesome service below.

In this month’s Member News, you’ll also find out what the Prime Minister was doing with surf lifeguards in Mount Maunganui, an interesting story by One News on the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships, and some new leadership opportunities. 

Happy reading and ka kite anō.

One News Covers NZ Surf Lifesaving Championships

TVNZ’s One News did a great story on the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships held last month on Mount Maunganui Beach.  They included some great footage of all the action and interviewed competitors and legends in their own right, Morgan Foster and Olivia Corrin.  Click here to watch the full story!

Meet the Surf Lifeguard making History in Australia 

A Current Affair is a popular Australian current affairs programme.  Recently, it featured a heartwarming story on Aden, who became the first person with down syndrome to achieve a bronze medallion in lifesaving.  It’s definitely worth watching as it highlights the importance of being part of a community like Surf Life Saving and the joy and purpose it brings to those involved.  Click here to watch the full story.

Surf Lifeguard Shares His Story Following Heart Attack

This month, Madi Hall from North Beach SLSC spoke to SLSNZ about how his first aid training as a surf lifeguard helped save his life.  The father of two managed to spot early signs of a heart attack, and with help from his young son, called 111 to get help.  It’s an incredible story and shows the invaluable skills you learn as a surf lifeguard.  Click here to read more.

Mount Maunganui to Host National Lifeguard School

SLSNZ is excited to announce that Mount Maunganui will host this year’s National Lifeguard School!  The three-day programme is for the country’s fastest, fittest, and most committed surf lifeguards.  The Mount, with its beaches, harbour, inshore island and rock environments, will prove to be the perfect setting for them.  The school will run from 28 November until 1 December, with applications opening in September.  Click here to read more.

New Online Learning Help Videos for Members

In an increasingly busy world, we understand how challenging it can be to stay on top of everything.  To make your life easier, we’ve created a series of “how-to” videos regarding our learning management system, etrainu.  These videos provide answers to questions such as how to enrol in training, create an event, or run a training status report.  So, if you’re a member, assessor, or administrator, make sure you check out the videos by clicking here!  You can also find them in the etrainu document library.

First Aid Resuscitation Conference Opportunity

First aid is an integral part of the Surf Life Saving movement, which is why staying up-to-date with the latest developments is crucial.  This year, the New Zealand Resuscitation Council is offering two surf lifeguards the opportunity to attend its First Aid Resuscitation Conference as ushers and event helpers.  The conference will be held in Wellington from 14 – 15 June and is suitable for surf lifeguards who hold a minimum of Advanced First Aid or above.  There is no cost to attend, but you must make your own travel arrangements.  For more information click here and if interested, please contact Rachel Allan rachel@resus.org.nz

bp Rescue of the Month

SLSNZ would like to congratulate the winners of the 2023/2024 February bp Rescue of the Month.  Throughout February, surf lifeguards around the country responded to a range of incidents, however there were three that stood out.  Well done to all of those involved, along with the other emergency services who they worked alongside. Click here to read more. 

Athletes Put on a Show at the NZ Surf Lifesaving Championships

Congratulations to all the athletes who competed at the 2024 New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships in Mount Maunganui.  It was a fantastic four days of action with over 1,370 athletes competing from 47 Surf Life Saving clubs.  The Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service won the prestigious title of Top Club for the 10^th consecutive year – an incredible achievement for the team!  Click here to read more.

Otago Turns it on for bp Surf Rescue NZ Championships

Otago’s Waikouaiti put on near-perfect conditions for the bp Surf Rescue New Zealand Championships.  The level of competition across all age groups was impressive, resulting in some incredibly exciting and tightly contested races.  Port Waikato’s Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service won the much sought-after title of Top Club, helped by their Open Crews who won seven out of eight titles – an impressive feat!  Click here to read more.

Canterbury Surf Lifeguard Recognised for Sporting Excellence

A big congratulations to Rosie Falcous from South Brighton SLSC who won the Sport Canterbury Sportsperson of the Year Award – Community Winner.  The judges said Rosie demonstrated excellence in surf lifesaving, competing at local, regional, and international levels.  As a member of the Junior Black Fins team, she also made history as the first South Island-based athlete at the Lifesaving World Championships since 2016.

The Prime Minister Heads to the Beach

Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon paid a visit to the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service when he was in town the other week.  He spent time at the club, spoke with surf lifeguards, and thanked them for everything they do in keeping beachgoers safe.  Well done to all those who were on hand to make sure he saw the important work we do.  It’s not every day you get the Prime Minister right on your doorstep! Click here to read more.

FREE Counselling Support

After a busy season now is a good time to remind you about the free counselling support available to all active surf lifeguards, current members, and their immediate families.  Benestar, who provides this service, has counsellors throughout New Zealand who can be selected and booked online or by phone.  Click here to learn more.

Applications Now Open for bp Leaders for Life

Awesome, inspiring, motivating – these are just some of the words used to describe SLSNZ’s premier leadership development programme, bp Leaders for Life. Now, you can be part of the next intake with applications open for the 2024/2025 course.  If you’re a current or emerging club leader aged 20-35 years old and want to improve your leadership skills, create relationships, and connect with other clubs, click here to apply.  If you’re interested in being a mentor, click here to apply.  Or if you’re just after a bit more information, click here.  Applications close 30 April.  A big thanks to bp for its ongoing support in developing the next generation of leaders!

SLSA National Leadership College

Earlier this year, SLSNZ had the opportunity to send a New Zealand delegate to Surf Life Saving Australia's National Leadership College.  However, it wasn’t as easy as it sounds, as the quality of applicants was so high that it was impossible to select just one candidate.  Thankfully, our Aussie counterpart’s allowed us to send two surf lifeguards – Ashleigh Hurring and Victoria Mulrennan!  Click here to read about their life-changing experience.

SLSNZ Teams up with Outward Bound for Unique Opportunity

Outward Bound is known for its life-changing courses that bring out the best of every individual, and for the first time ever, we’re excited to announce an Outward Bound course created especially for SLSNZ members.  Called ‘Ngaru Huhuka’, which means ‘the foaming wave’, the course is an exciting opportunity for members to improve their leadership skills, as well as create relationships and connections across clubs and regions throughout New Zealand.  Applications open now and close on 3 May. Spaces are limited!  So, click here for more information and how to apply.

KFC Raises Funds with Fine Dining Experience

Last month, KFC teamed up with Kiwi chef Hercules Noble for a fine-dining pop-up restaurant called Mr. Sanders.  It sounds pretty straightforward, right?  But this restaurant had a twist, as the five-course menu used some of KFC’s finest ingredients… think fried chicken and potato and gravy!  Along with being a bit of fun, the restaurant also supported SLSNZ, with $11,500 raised in total.  A big thanks to KFC and if you want to see how it all unfolded, click here.

Vacancy:  Piha SLSC Operations Manager

Piha SLSC is one of the busiest clubs in the country, standing watch over Auckland’s wild west coast, and now you could be at the centre of its operations.  The club is on the lookout for an Operations Manager who would be responsible for a complex array of administrative and strategic functions, with a focus on day-to-day club operations and income generation.  If this sounds like you, click here to apply!  Applications close 5pm Friday, 19 April.

New Plymouth Old Boys SLSC Club Coach

New Plymouth Old Boys SLSC sits proudly on Oakura Beach in Taranaki and has a long and proud history.  It’s also an active and competitive club in local and national competitions, which is why it’s excited to announce that it’s looking for a new Club Coach.  So, if you’re a strong leader with excellent relationship management, communication skills, and are self-motivated, this could be the role for you!  For more information, please contact Jaynie McSweeny here.

Surf Lifesaving Championships of New Zealand held at South Brighton, Christchurch March 1979.

CREDIT: Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Archives New Zealand