About Us

The Oldest Surf Life Saving Club in New Zealand
- Established in July 1910 -

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 3^rd 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