About us

About us

New Brighton Surf Life Saving Club Banner.

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

The following is a brief overview of the opportunities offered by the New Brighton SLSC

Patrols

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 provide a lifesaving service for those who use the beach over the summer months. In order to fulfil this need New Brighton 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.

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 even been days where in excess of 30 rescues have been performed. You never know what is going to happen! Many of our patrolling members have been involved with a rescue at some stage, and have found the experience of rescuing someone at sea to be both a huge adrenaline rush and an immensely rewarding experience. Each Patrol is led by a Patrol Captain, who is a member with a great deal of experience and ability and assists new members with their lifeguarding development.

There are summer employment opportunities with Surf Lifesaving Canterbury as Regional Lifeguards for those who have a couple of years of patrolling experience under their belts.

Junior surf

An integral part of New Brighton SLSC is the junior surf programme. 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.

New Brighton SLSC has been the top South Island club in junior surf for 3 of the last 6 seasons.

Junior surf is held on Sundays during the summer starting at 10am. Join us on Sunday mornings at the clubhouse - this is a great family time!

Surf sports

All qualified lifeguards are eligible to compete in Canterbury District and National Surf Lifesaving competitions. These competitions are designed to test lifeguards skills using a variety of equipment including BP inflatable rescue boats (IRBs), Boards, Surf Skis, Surf Canoes and Boats as well as swimming and running.

At the 2007 Canterbury Surf Life Saving Awards we were named the Top Patrol Efficiency Club. Some of our individual members also featured with Luke Parsons being named Regional Lifeguard of the Year and Liam Sycamore winning the title of Rookie Lifeguard of the Year. At the 2007 New Zealand Championships our under-19 Men's Tube Rescue Team of Andrew Jensen and Matt Nash took out the gold medal and our under-19 Men's boat crew secured a bronze in the Long Course Boat.

In recent years New Brighton has also featured in National finals in Surf Boat (winning a National Junior title in 2004), Surf Canoe, IRB, swimming and running events. We also have a number of promising young athletes that are being developed in the board and ski disciplines.

[image] Under-19 Tube Rescue Gold Medalists (2007 NZ Champs) - Matt Nash and Andrew Jensen.

Social

New Brighton SLSC provides a unique opportunity to socialise with a range of different people in both formal and informal situations.

Centenary celebrations

New Brighton SLSC will be celebrating its centenary in 2010. A centenary committee has been formed under the chairmanship of former president Stewart Mitchell. Any former members are invited to register their interest in attending these celebrations by contacting our administration officer Sue Gaskell.

We offer a place where sporting and social skills are developed in a
friendly caring environment