A grant from the Whangarei District Council to extend the lifeguarding season has prevented drownings, Whangarei Heads Surf Life Saving Club chairman Rod Boswell says.
The council has given $16,000 to keep paid lifeguards on Whangarei Heads and Ruakaka beaches for two extra weeks, and at Waipu Cover for one extra weekend.
Mr Boswell warmly welcomed the donation. "We provide an extensive and professional service and what they've done is superb. If we don't patrol those extra weekends what will happen is someone will drown," he said.
Volunteer lifeguards will be on patrol on Northland beaches from this weekend until Easter. Paid lifeguards will start on December 23.
Mr Boswell has 35 years experience with Surf Life Saving New Zealand and is a founding member of the Whangarei Heads Surf Life Saving Club.