Surf life saving community celebrates century of civic duty

Mairangi Bay lifeguard Tony Featherstone is ready to start beach patrolling this weekend. Photo / Dean Purcell

When lifeguards take to the beaches this long weekend it will not only mark the start of the season, but 100 years of guards patrolling beaches and saving lives.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand says more than 50,000 lives have been saved since guards first started patrolling our beaches 100 years ago.

The first clubs were formed in Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin and Wanganui and since then more than quarter of a million people have belonged to the Surf Live Saving movement.

Today, on the first day of the new life saving season, the organisation has more than 15,800 members and 73 clubs.

Life Saving Northern Region manager Andy Kent said around 200 volunteers would be patrolling Auckland and Northland's beaches this Labour Weekend.

He said the same messages as always would apply - always swim between the flags, listen to the lifeguards and cooperate with any given instructions and be aware of when the beaches are being patrolled.

The most important message was for people to know their limits.

"If they are not a good swimmer and swimming in a non-patrolled area the risk (of them getting into trouble) is a whole lot greater."

"Ninety per cent of the population are great, we have no trouble with them. It's a small percentage which don't listen to the warnings or understand the warnings who unfortunately become the statistics."

Mr Kent said guards were proud to know they were heading out today at the start of the 100th year of Surf Life Saving in New Zealand.

Surf Life Saving chief executive Grant Florence said lifesaving is as much a part of our sense of community today as it was in 1910.

"It's the celebration of 100 years of community spirit, camaraderie and sense of responsibility for others in our community."

"It is our opportunity to promote our proud history and acknowledge the fundamental role surf lifeguards play in keeping New Zealand's favourite playground safer for everyone."

Over the coming months centenary celebrations will roll out around the country, including a free interactive travelling exhibition titled Between the Flags - 100 Years of Surf Life Saving in New Zealand.