Young lifeguards (from left) Josh Baker, Callum McKay and Tim Manning sprint into the surf for a tube rescue race. Photo/supplied
Young lifeguards (from left) Josh Baker, Callum McKay and Tim Manning sprint into the surf for a tube rescue race. Photo/supplied
Waipu life saving anniversary Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club members last weekend celebrated 90 years of looking after beachgoers.
Club captain Kath Manning says a highlight of the celebrations were demonstrations of old rescue and resuscitation techniques, and current methods.
"What was particularly special about this is we had some of our members who patrolled back in the 1950s-1960s to run the reel," he said.
Members demonstrated how they use IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat), and the Rescue Water Craft (jetski) did patient pick-up demonstrations. Waipu's competitive Masters Canoe Team showcased the sport aspect of surf lifesaving. There were fun activities for the children too, with beach games and competitive beach flags as a sampler of the Junior Surf programme.
Former lifeguard Dave Woodman mans the rescue reel. Photo/supplied
The day ended with a celebratory dinner for 150. Representatives from each era attended, and club captains from the past 60 years gave a panel interview.
Club captain Max Leonard (1959-1963) told stories of how they started the idea of rostering for their patrols - with only six members having their bronze award, they roped in friends to help.
Using the reel they rescued 27 people in one day when there was a strong rip running. They also tried to support neighbouring beaches which did not have surf lifesaving clubs formed yet.
Other previous club captains told inspiring stories - Laura Andrews (2012-2014) is now a firefighter at Auckland Airport and a hovercraft operator. Her passion for emergency care was ignited by joining surf lifesaving as a youngster.
The weekend's events were organised by Angela Stolwerk who was honoured on the night with a life membership to the club, for 31 years of service.
"It was a fantastic weekend," said Manning. "And was great to hear so many stories of the club's strong history."
A book on the club's history, written by Ian Godfrey and published in time for the celebrations, is available for $35.
Garden club blossoming It's not just flowers blooming at Marsden Bay Garden Club – club numbers are also growing. Two years ago, the club had 58 members. Now, president Judy Fraser says, they have 127.
Shiloh and Harmony Hunt with their plants. Photo/Julie Paton
And inviting primary school children to enter their annual spring flower show last week may have sprouted a crop of new garden enthusiasts.
One Tree Point school tied the idea of potted colour into a recycling theme – children made plastic drink bottles into plant pots.
Parents look on as children dig for treasure at Marsden Playcentre's Monster Market day. Photo/Charlotte Davies
Sisters Shiloh, 7, and Harmony, 9, Hunt were thrilled to see their entries were highly commended.
Ruakaka School's senior bilingual class produced a display of intricately woven flax flowers.
Te Koha Rudolph with his first-placed woven flowers. Photo/Julie Paton
Te Koha Rudolph, 10, and his parents called in to check out the flower show and he was delighted to discover he had won first prize for his weaving.
"I feel really surprised and happy," Rudolph said. "I won a prize for my weaving at our school show too."
He said many of his relatives are skilled weavers.
Jean Dyer admires the rose that won her multiple trophies. Photo/Julie Paton
Ruakaka gardener and longstanding garden club member Jean Dyer made a clean sweep of the major trophies with one perfect flower.
She says the Berolina rose is long and skinny, and mean with its yellow flowers.
"But when it does produce a flower, it's a beauty."
Dyer won the Westpac Bank trophy for best bloom in show, the Jean Acheson Memorial Cup for best rose and the Freda Terry Memorial trophy supreme award.
Waipū golfers clean up It was a clean sweep for Waipū Golfers last weekend at the Golf Northland Champion of Champions played at Kaitaia in wet, windy conditions.
Waipu Golf's Rose bowl winning team (from left) Suzanne Hansen, Kylie Jacoby and Hanna Carrington. Photo/Julie Gordon
Kylie Jacoby, Northland's number one player led the team winning best gross silver. Suzanne Hansen won best gross bronze, Margaret Aston best pm nett silver and Julie Gordon best pm nett bronze. The team of Jacoby, Hansen and Hanna Carrington won the Rose bowl.
Market a monster success Marsden Playcentre's fourth annual monster market, held last Sunday, was the centre's biggest yet, says playcentre parent Charlotte Davies.
The day raised $1500 towards shade sails and safety matting.
Raffle winners were: Brian Weir (grocery hamper, cake), Lynn Morgan (spring fling), Kelly Morunga (cake). The centre has a new entranceway and shelter and improved drainage to stop surface flooding thanks to a school holiday working bee by parents, with help from Northpine, Waipū ITM, Hansen Drainage, Atlas Concrete Ruakākā and Ruakāka Engineering.
Twilight golf competition Gather a group and enter a team in Waipu Golf's twilight competition. Teams registration closes today – ph 432 0259 or email waipu@golf.co.nz with the competition beginning tomorrow night and running through until March 2019.
Tee off 4-6pm. If you are not in a team come along and join the stableford scramble. Non-affiliated players welcome. Cafe open, so bring family and friends along and stay for dinner.
Tide's Out run and walk It's the Tide's Out fun run and walk this Sunday at Ruakaka Beach. With 5km and 10km walking and running options, and heaps of spot prizes, this Bream Bay College fundraiser has something for everyone, plus a very scenic course along the beach.
To register, visit the Ruakaka Surf Club tomorrow 5-7pm or the entry tent on the grass reserve Sunday 8-9.30am. If you've already registered, you can pick up your race numbers at those times and venues.
Adult entries are $20, students $5. The run/walk starts on the beach in front of the surf club. The 10km walkers start at 9.30am, followed by the 10km runners at 9.40am and the 5km walkers and runners at 9.45am. Water is available along the route and at the finish line. Put your race number in the box at the end to be in to win a spot prize. Prizegiving is at 11.15am on the grass area near the finish line – you must be present to collect your prize.
Service to remember All are welcome to St Paul's Anglican Church, Tamingi St, Ruakākā for the poignant All Souls candlelight service tomorrow at 7.30pm. The service is a quiet, uplifting time of acknowledgement of those we will always love, even though they are no longer with us.
Guy Fawkes night at One Tree Point One Tree Point School's Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night is tomorrow from 5.30pm. Bring a picnic blanket, stay for dinner and fireworks. Entry is $5 per adult, $3 children 5-14 years, under-5s free, $15 family ticket. Live music, dancing, children's games, glow sticks, food and raffles. Fireworks sponsored by Signature Homes. Be in to win a $2000 travel voucher – look out for travel raffle tickets on the night.
■ Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with Northern Advocate readers.
