KEY POINTS:
They've got no clubhouse and nowhere to shelter from the sun, wind or rain - but the new surf-lifesaving patrol at Matapouri Beach in Northland is a hit with the public.
Paid lifeguards and members of the Whangarei Heads Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Patrol began trial weekend duties for the first time at the beach on December 20, and returned on Saturday.
They even scored some chocolate cake for a job well done.
"One woman had to dash up to her car, so she asked us to keep an eye on her kid for a bit," said paid lifeguard Alicia Rutherford, of Auckland. "And when she came back she had this chocolate cake with her. It was great - much appreciated."
The five lifeguards had their surf-ski, life-rings and first-aid equipment on the beach, but not having a clubhouse to shelter from the sun and sand made things a bit difficult.
"It's a pain, to be honest," Ryan Oxborrow said. "It's nice to be able to take a break and be able to eat your lunch without getting sand in it."
But the lifeguards were all smiles as they kept watch. There were 250 people on the beach when crowds peaked on Saturday, but no rescues, thanks to the calm sea.
Beachgoers were surprised to see the red and yellow flags at Matapouri and the lifeguards got great feedback from the public.
"There's been a real push for lifeguards from the community, so people are responding really well," Ms Rutherford said.
The Davies family from Maungatapere were pleased to have the guards on patrol.
Suzanne Davies and her family have been doing the rounds of Northland beaches since Christmas.
"Lifeguards should be on all beaches because people do stupid things," she said. "But it's great to see them here. They do a great job."
A breezy easterly kept things quiet at other Northland beaches on Sunday.
Mangawhai Heads acting patrol captain Ian McInnes said that after a busy Saturday, when guards patrolled an hour longer than their scheduled 5pm finish, many of the younger members kept busy with simulated rescues. There were about 60 people in the water at 3pm.
Geoff Jackett of Ruakaka said the weekend was fairly quiet, although guards did have to rescue a couple of kayak surfers who had fallen out of their boats in the breezy easterly.
Lindsay Hill, patrol captain at Whangarei Heads, also reported a quiet weekend.
He said the patrol at Matapouri seemed to be going well, and a rescue on December 20 proved they were needed.
That day, Mr Hill swam out to rescue a group of adults and children who got into difficulty on an inflatable boat and in a kayak.
"It's a safe beach, but things can still happen there."
Paid lifeguards will continue to patrol Northland beaches on weekdays throughout most of January, with volunteers helping out at weekends. Lifeguards will remain at Matapouri at weekends until the end of next month.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
