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About Us
The Oldest Surf Life Saving
Club in New Zealand
The New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club is the oldest surf lifesaving club
in New Zealand having been formed in July 1910. New Brighton SLSC has
had a distinguished history as both a lifesaving and a sporting
organisation.
Lifesaving
The New Brighton beach is one of the busiest beaches in the Canterbury
district, having an iconic status for both Christchurch residents and
visitors from afar. The New Brighton SLSC exists to prevent
drowning and injury on the beach over the summer months. In order
to fulfill this need, New Brighton SLSC runs voluntary patrols in the
weekends and on public holidays throughout the summer. New
Brighton SLSC prides itself on the quality of its patrols.
The prerequisite to be a lifeguard and patrol the
beach is the surf lifeguard award. This award covers a range of
skills that are necessary for a lifeguard such as surf swimming, CPR,
first aid, rescue technique and surf knowledge. Training for this
award is provided by a club instructor free of charge. There is a
fitness (swimming) component to this award which is relatively easy to
achieve with a little bit of training.
Click here to
find out more about becoming a lifeguard at New Brighton.
All active members are required to complete rostered patrols (about 6 or
7 per season). Patrols can be an interesting and varied
experience. In the last few seasons between 5 and 30 rescues have
been performed by the voluntary patrols, and there have been days where
in excess of 30 rescues have been performed.
Each Patrol is led by a Patrol Captain, who is highly experienced and
qualified. In conjunction with other members the Patrol Captain assists
new members with their lifeguarding development.
As well as working voluntarily there are also employment opportunities
with Surf Lifesaving Canterbury to work as Professional Surf Lifeguards
over the 6 week summer peak season. Those with at least a season’s
patrolling and right qualifications can apply to trial for the positions
in September each year.
At the 2008
Canterbury Surf Life Saving Awards we were named the Top Patrol
Efficiency Club (for the second year running). Some of our
individual members also featured with Luke Parsons being named Regional
Lifeguard of the Year and Canterbury Surf Lifesaver of the Year.
Tom Worters, Adam Nash and Sam Henry won the Canterbury Rescue of the
Year for the notable rescue and assist of a young boy while holidaying
in Kaiteriteri and Tom Worters was the recipient of the Freemasons
Lifeguard scholarship.
Again in 2009, Sam Henry, Adam Nash and James Gaskell were awarded the
Canterbury rescue of the Year, for their off-duty rescue of two English
tourists caught in dangerous surf conditions in December 2008.
Anyone interested in getting involved as a
lifeguard should contact
Andrew Jensen, Lifesaving Manager.
Junior surf
Junior surf is for children aged 7-13 and their families. The
junior surf programme is designed to give children the opportunity to
become surf and safety educated and to prepare them to become fully
qualified lifeguards when they turn 14.
Additionally, there is the opportunity for participants in junior surf
to compete in Canterbury carnivals, the Southern Ocean Athlete
championships, and the New Zealand under-14 Ocean Athlete championships
at Mt Maunganui.
Junior surf is held on Sundays during the summer
starting at 10am. Join us at the Club on Sunday mornings – have a
swim and enjoy a sausage sizzle after in a family friendly environment.
Contact
Sally Wilson,
Junior Surf Co-ordinator for information on how to get involved as a New
Brighton Nipper.
Surf Sport
Surf Lifesaving carnivals are designed to test lifesaving skills using a
variety of equipment. All qualified lifeguards are eligible to compete
in Canterbury District and National Surf Lifesaving competitions.
Equipment used includes BP inflatable rescue boats (IRBs), Boards, Surf
Skis, Surf Canoes and Boats as well as swimming and running.
At the 2008 New Zealand Championships our under-19
Men's boat crew secured a silver in the Long Course Boat, and Jack Nash
won bronze in both the U19 Mens run-swim-run and the U16 Mens surf race.
In 2009, Jack Nash once again showed his outstanding swimming ability by
placing 3rd
in the U19 Surf Race at the National Championships in Gisborne.
At the 2008 IRB Championships our senior crew of James Gaskell and Kirk
Williams secured a silver medal in the Senior Mass rescue race.
Social
New Brighton SLSC provides a unique opportunity to socialise with a
range of different people in both formal and informal situations. The
environment of the New Brighton SLSC is family-focused and endeavours to
include all members in a safe, fun and strong environment.
Centenary celebrations
NewslettersThe Brightoner is the definitive source of information about the events of the New Brighton Surf Life Saving Club. We are currently looking to increase our circulation, if you would like to be added to the mailing list please email the Editor-in-Chief. Also, any submissions for inclusion in the newsletter, would be greatly appreciated.
Matt Nash
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