Surf lifesaving: Family ties bring surf success

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard members Daniel Miller (left), Rebecca Barron, Jess Miller, Doug Miller, Jill and Paul Barron, Hamish Miller and Daniel Barron. Photo/Jaime Troughton

The Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service is finding the families that train together, reign together this surf lifesaving season.

Fresh from capturing the three big Eastern Region championships - in juniors, open and masters carnivals - the Mount club is eyeing up a strong performance in this week's Oceans '14 under-14 national championships that begin today on their home beach.

Leading the charge will be the youngest members of two families who have contributed significantly to the club's success this season.

Rebecca Barron and Daniel Miller both have big shoes to fill, each with older siblings (Hamish and Jessica Miller, Daniel and Amy Barron) who have starred at Oceans in the last five years and moved into the senior ranks.

They have also dragged respective parents into the surf, with Doug Miller and Jill Barron each contributing to the Eastern Region masters win.

"We've watched the kids evolve in the sport since they were 5 and it was inevitable - seeing the fun they have training and competing - that a group of like-minded parents finally decided to take the plunge," Doug said. "We've had to learn the skills needed to complete board and ski races but we've proved old dogs can learn new tricks, which is hugely satisfying."

It's also the practical lifeguarding application that's appealed to Jill.

"It's been great to go through the lifeguard award so we know what to do if a situation arises and be able to support the patrols," she said.

"But it's also great fun - we've spent so much time on the beach supporting the kids through the ranks and it's nice to have a go ourselves, although some elements have proved more challenging to master than others."

It's a trend that is starting to become apparent, says MMLS club chairman Paul Treanor, who qualified as a lifeguard last year himself.

"We have seen a real lift in parents wanting to get qualified as lifeguards as a result of the involvement of their children - this year we have had at least half a dozen parents go through the surf lifeguard award and we have at least that many again working towards the qualification for later in the year," Treanor said.

"The club has traditionally been very strong in the senior ranks but we've made a real effort to grow our juniors, through high-quality, inclusive educational and fun programmes.

"At the same time, and almost organically, we've seen interest spike in the masters."

At Omanu, the family aspect is also shining through with Dominic and Francesca Piceno joining Josef and Loui Schuler in the ranks this year.

Papamoa are the defending champions, having edged Red Beach and Mount Maunganui in a thriller last year, and have been proudly served over the years by legions of Pickerings, Bryants, Kayes and Johnston progenies.

This week, Mitch Cowdrey will race for the final time at Oceans, as the youngest of four Papamoa brothers who have all competed at the carnival.

He will join nearly 850 juniors from around the country, competing over four days from noon today.