Our Surf clubs: Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club

Omanu Surf Club president Donal Boyle and his two daughters Brianagh, 19, and Roisin, 16. Photo/John Borren

When Donal Boyle joined his daughters up to Nippers about 15 years ago he had no idea he would get so involved with the club.

He wasn't an overly skilled swimmer and wasn't raised in the surf but, about eight years after signing his now 19-year-old daughter Brianagh up as a 5-year-old, he decided to gain his Surf Lifeguard Award so he could become a surf lifeguard.

"I thought I'd need to go and do my lifeguard award to understand the lifeguards' needs," Boyle said.

"It's been a challenge for myself," he said.

In that time he has continued his involvement with the club and surf life saving has become a family affair with both Brianagh and his now 16-year-old daughter Roisin coming up through the ranks.

Boyle took on a chairman role about five years ago and is now president of the club.

Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club is home to one of New Zealand's largest junior surf programmes and, if you ask Boyle why that is, the answer is clear - it's simply a quality club, in an easy location, promoting a family environment and providing many opportunities for its members to train and compete.

The club has about 120 volunteer lifeguards, about 350 nippers, holds numerous functions during the season which begins at Labour Weekend, and has a close-knit group of members who are welcoming and inclusive.

"We see the club as a bit of a community.

"As a member you're more than welcome to come down and use the facilities.

"A lot of the people come down and just watch."

Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club:
Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club started in 1947 as the Omanu Pacific Surf Life Saving club before later being renamed Omanu Papamoa SLSC
In 1990 Omanu Papamoa split and the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club was formed due to a growing population in Papamoa and Papamoa East
Omanu Beach SLSC now has one of the largest junior surf programmes in New Zealand with about 350 nippers
Phone: (07) 575 4805
Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm
Where: Surf Rd, Mount Maunganui 3116