Bethels Bay Life Saving Club gave a presentation to Rotary North Harbour. The club teaches children lifesaving and leadership skills

2. Who we are
We are a volunteer, non profit, community based surf rescue service that operates each
year from Labour Weekend through to Easter Monday.
Every weekend Bethells Beach lifeguards are on duty saving lives, preventing dangerous
situations, performing first aid and educating the public.
We are the current ‘Club of the Year’ and ‘Best Patrolled Beach’ from the 17 clubs within
the Northern Region. Also ‘Rescue of the Month’ awarded in February.
We have a membership base of 312 consisting of:
• 127 Surf Life Guards
• 123 Junior Surf Member (aged 5 to 13 years)
• 72 Associate members

3. What we are about
To minimise the loss of life from drowning at our beaches.
We provide efficient life saving services and first aid to people in need.
The preservation and safe guarding of lives by the study & practice of all methods of live
saving.
The development and education of all of our members from Juniors to Seniors.
The patrols provide a volunteer service to educate swimmers and non swimmers of our
greater community.
To identify and minimise the hazards of our beach (which is ranked level 8
dangerous) by providing training programs and support to our lifeguards.

4. Our Values
SURF - Respect the sea
SAFETY - Ensuring a safe environment for all
WHANAU - We are a family, no separation
FUN - Enjoying every moment, we are the
life of the party

5. History
For a few summers during the fifties, life guarding was made up by swimmers opting to
do their Compulsory Military Training in the navy to keep fit for their specialty sports.
Once the compulsory military training scheme was terminated, so was life guard service.
Although the club was incorporated in October 1958, it was not until 1963 when a triple
drowning known as “Black Sunday” occurred that the formation of the surf life saving
club, as we know it today, eventuated.

6. History
By 1967 the club had grown to more than 2 dozen members and in September 1968,
building of the “spacious” new $7,500.00 clubhouse began and was opened 22nd
December 1968.

7. History
The club continues to grow from a handful of members to the size we are today.

8. Couple of stats
Total Hours
worked
No of People
Rescued
No of First
Aids
No of
Searches
No of
Preventative
Actions
No of People
Preventatives
Callout 28 2 5 3 3 10
Regional 1120 3 13 1 693 1360
Volunteer 4133 12 50 5 1474 2995
TOTAL 5281 17 68 9 2170 4365
Total Hours
worked
No of People
Rescued
No of First
Aids
No of
Searches
No of
Preventative
Actions
No of People
Preventatives
5281 17 68 9 2170 4365
Total Hours worked No of People Rescued No of First Aids
No of Searches No of Preventative Actions No of People Preventatives

9. Junior Surf
Also known as “Nippers”, Junior Surf instils surf confidence and awareness
in the youngsters of the club.
Children from ages 7 to 13 participate in surf sports & carnivals with other clubs in
the Northern Region as well as being encouraged to be involved with the weekend patrols.
These children (and Parents) also provide a positive follow on to active life guarding in the
club.
Development programs for the Junior Surf & Surf Rookies (ages 11-13) is also essential to
ensure their growth and succession.

10. Surf Life Guards (Seniors)
Surf Life Guarding can start from 14 years old.
Each year a training program which sees 20 – 30 recruits trained as active lifeguards. This
program involves weekly swimming at the Waitakere Aquatic Centre, ten theory
workshops covering first aid, CPR, patrol operations, radios, signals, knots and rescue
techniques required to pass the bronze award.

11. Surf Life Guards (Seniors)
Surf Life Guarding can start from 14 years old.
Each year a training program which sees 20 – 30 recruits trained as active lifeguards. This
program involves weekly swimming at the Waitakere Aquatic Centre, ten theory
workshops covering first aid, CPR, patrol operations, radios, signals, knots and rescue
techniques required to pass the bronze award.
Support and commitment of a team of highly qualified instructors and local community is
essential.
Key attributes required to perform at these levels are: Team work, Communication, Self
motivation, Determination, Dedication, Strong leadership skills, Organisational skills and the
list goes on.
Bethells Beach offers a great environment to encourage and grow these
attributes.

12. Member Retention
• Leadership Development
• Youth Development Camp (15 – 18 year olds)
• Leadership Development Camps
• Intermediate Guard Schools
• Patrol Captains Training schools
• First Aid Courses
• Basic First Aid to Pre Hospital Emergency Care
• The Toys Department
• IRB Crewperson and Operators (Drivers)
• RWC (Jet-Ski)
• Westpac Helicopter Rescue squad
• Sports

13. Sports
Bethells Beach plays a formidable part within the Surf Boat arena.
At present we have nine boat crews that compete for Bethells Beach.

14. Sports
Bethells Beach plays a formidable part within the Surf Boat arena.
At present we have nine boat crews that compete for Bethells Beach.

15. Sports
Surf sports create the opportunity to maintain fitness and develop physical skills and also
support and strengthen the skills for lifeguards to efficiently provide their service to the
community.

16. Sports
Surf sports create the opportunity to maintain fitness and develop physical skills and also
support and strengthen the skills for lifeguards to efficiently provide their service to the
community.

17. Sports
IRB Racing

18. Sports

19. Sports
Other sports

20. What's in it for Rotary
• Making our community a better place
• Alignment with a quality organisation.
• Membership Development.
• Development of Leaders in a volunteer and professional perspective.
• Membership Retention Programs.
• Visibility of Rotary

21. Questions