Beach rescues: Funding needed

It has been a busy summer for lifeguards

It's been a busy summer for Bay lifeguards.

Yesterday, the Bay of Plenty Times reported that lifeguards at three beaches had already performed more than twice as many rescues this season as they did all of last summer.

Surf Life Saving statistics show a combined 171 rescues from Mount Maunganui's Main Beach, Omanu and Papamoa this season (from Labour Weekend to January 11), compared with 74 rescues from Mount Main Beach through and including Papamoa during 2013-2014.

Eastern Region lifesaving and education manager Leigh Sefton says a combination of good weather, large volumes of people, plus beach and sea conditions have contributed to an increase in rescues.

It's staggering to think that this group of dedicated volunteers have been called upon so many times to keep people from harm's way.

These rescues were the difference between life and death for those hauled from the water.

Given the scale of the work they do to make our beaches safe and the number of lives they save, it is difficult to understand why Surf Lifesaving New Zealand is still battling for funding.

In October, we reported on the financial struggles of some Bay life-saving clubs.

The Omanu club was dangerously low on equipment just a week out from when the summer season officially started.

You have to question why this service isn't government-funded and why there is such a struggle to be able to do the work they do.

The organisation gets a $2 million Lotteries Grant each year, with $750,000 split between 73 clubs nationwide.

Councils such as Tauranga City give an annual grant for professional lifeguard wages, Monday to Friday, for about 12 weeks over summer.

All other costs are met by donations, grants and sponsorship, which clubs and the national body have to seek every year.

The number of rescues carried out this summer adds weight to the argument that central government should be funding these clubs. The work they do over summer is essential and should not be undervalued.