Lifeguards reunite at Karekare Beach

The club has 350 members and believe more than 5000 people have been saved. Photo / Supplied

Karekare Surf Club in West Auckland wants to celebrate 80 years of guarding swimmers at one of the most beautiful but dangerous beaches in the country by bringing back its former lifeguards.

"The club is looking to find all former members to do a few more hours again over the summer," said club patron Sir Bob Harvey.

"Although the old reel-and-line rescues are long gone, the club will host former members and their families in the new art of lifesaving."

Karekare Beach has been guarded by a club of dedicated and brave lifeguards for 80 years. Photo / Supplied

The club, which has 350 members, believes more than 5000 people have been saved or prevented from drowning over the years at the beach.

Its volunteers' efforts have been recognised by their winning the Rescue of the Year four times. Members Ray Baillie and Odo Strewe won the Royal Humane Society Medal for bravery.

Sir Bob said the club would host a grand Black Sand Dinner on November 14 to share the history of amazing courage and rescues.

He is editing a book on the club's history which, with a DVD of interviews, will go on sale for summer reading.

A big surf carnival with Auckland surf clubs will be held in February and a full Anzac service to honour club members, who enlisted together in 1940, will be held at the plaque on the rock at Karekare next Anzac Day.

The club has prized pictures including one of the original members posing with the visiting Governor-General, the eighth Viscount Galway.