Surf Lifesaving is not only an essential service available across New Zealand but is also a quintessential Kiwi activity that so many of our people of all ages can, and do, get involved in. with a coastline of approx. 18,000 km much of this is regularly pounded by surf.
With surf lifesaving having its origins down under in Australia in 1906 it wasn’t long before it came across the ditch and the first clubs in Lyall Bay and New Brighton were formed in 1910.
Whilst Māori have swum in the sea for centuries, swimming for the 19th century European was not common and the idea that swimming was healthy only started to form during the 1880’s. The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association was founded in 1890, and the Royal Life Saving Society began teaching swimming and lifesaving.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that sea bathers started forming organisations to improve the image of swimming. It was only after this time that surf lifesaving really developed.
The first lifesavers used the reel, line and belt rescue technique where one of the team (the beltman) swam out to the person in trouble wearing a belt attached to a line which unravelled from a reel. Other team members would then reel in the beltman and swimmer. Sometimes boats with a team of rowers would head out to swimmers further from shore or in heavy surf.
New Zealand used equipment from Australia and would then adapt to suit and it was a New Zealander, Alec Ross, who invented the Ross Safety Belt in 1948 which, in an emergency, the beltman could release the pin and break free from the line. This device remained the main lifesaving aid for almost 50 years.
Another New Zealander, Don Wright, also designed an improved version of the teardrop shaped surf ski in the 1930’s and yet another New Zealander, Duke Gillies, developed a cheaper more seaworthy alternative to the surf boat in 1933.
In 1932 the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Association was formed.
On the Hibiscus Coast we have two Surf Life Saving clubs at Orewa and Red Beach.
The Orewa Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1950 and is situated at the northern end of the beach. With the first proper clubhouse being opened in 1960 the club operated a skating rink until the early 1990’s. An upstairs was added in the late 1970’s. Fundraising is currently underway to develop a new clubhouse.
The club is proud to have served the community for over 70 years, have approxc 1,200 members and have conducted over 1,200 rescues since 1950.
The Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1953 after Orewa life savers had difficulty reaching a swimmer in trouble who could have been reached more easily from Red Beach.
Whilst operating out of a shed for a number of years the clubhouse was officially opened in 1959. The original clubhouse was replaced by the current building in 1982. If you would like further information about either of our local clubs please visit their websites at https://www.orewasurfclub.org.nz/ and https://www.redbeachslsc.com/
