Thefts leave lifesavers struggling

Pukehina surf lifeguards are doing their best to patrol with limited gear after a $30,000 burglary. Photo / George Novak

The Pukehina surf lifesaving patrol season is running on the bare necessities and clubbies hope fundraising will help them to pay the excess on the insurance to replace the gear stolen this month.

Two quad bikes, newly installed radio equipment, a rescue board and some first aid gear worth about $30,000 was stolen from Pukehina Surf Rescue on December 3, club captain Kevin Barugh said.

One quad bike was found dumped under the shelter belt on the side of the road within 24 hours of the burglary and Omanu surf lifesaving club had lent Pukehina an old quad bike which had all helped, he said.

However, replacing all the gear and ensuring it was up to the safety standard of the stolen gear was taking a financial toll. The club was hoping to fundraise the $2500 needed for the insurance excess.

"We don't have the financial backing to be able to wear that," Mr Barugh said.

The club continued to do the best they could under the circumstances, he said.

"We'll make it work. We're that sort of club. We're a patrolling club."

Pukehina head guard Nathan Roa said after the thefts they were not sure if they would have a season at all.

"But with the donated gear we've been able to crack on," Mr Roa said. "It was quite demoralising and we were just disgusted anyone would steal from a charity that helps the community like we do."

He said the community had been supportive since the burglary.

"We're constantly being stopped by the public with words of support and a lot of them offering to donate."

Both clubbies hope the surf club's annual Beach Walk fundraiser on January 1 pulls in the boost they need to keep them "ticking along".

Security had been tightened and the local beach residents were all getting behind it, Mr Barugh said.

Up the coast, the Whangamata Surf Rescue club was also feeling the blow of a theft after $6000 worth of solar panels were stolen from the radio repeater site on the peninsula.

Whangamata head guard Mitch Jensen said they had no choice but to cope without the communication to other sites as best as they could.

"They're just trying to replace the batteries every couple of days to keep it working but it's not really.

"It's pretty difficult. We're back on the old radios but it's not as effective and we can't talk to the other clubs. It's a hindrance but we're making do."

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