Stronger masters focus pays off in participation at Gisborne’s Wainui surf club

Wainui will have a team of 26 masters athletes in action this week at the New Zealand surf lifesaving championships at Ōhope. Most of them got together on Sunday with one of their team sponsors - Bronwyn Kay (centre). Photo / Kim Gregory

Galvanising older members and parents of youngsters in the club has paid off for Wainui Surf Life Saving Club for the second summer in a row.

Belinda Slement, Riversun Wainui director of lifeguarding, says it has strengthened patrol operations and competition.

Gisborne’s three surf lifesaving clubs are heading to the New Zealand championships at Ōhope this week.

Wainui will have 26 Masters athletes (30 years and over) in action on Thursday. Sixteen of them will join eight young clubmates (14 and over) in the senior club titles from Friday.

The club’s combined team of 35 will be one of the biggest Wainui has had at the nationals in its 89-year history.

“We have called our masters team the Wainui Weapons again this season,” Slement said.

Wainui placed third overall in the national masters competition at Gisborne in 2025, well behind Bay of Plenty club Ōmanu Beach, but only just shy of second-placed Midway.

“We currently have 26 members aged from their 30s to 70+, including active and former lifeguards, patrol captains, search and rescue members, parents of junior surf athletes, and long-time volunteers,” she said.

“Many have progressed through the club pathway themselves and continue to give back through mentoring and operational support.

“Over the past few seasons the squad has grown significantly in both numbers and visibility.

“What began as a small training crew has developed into a structured masters programme with consistent weekly trainings, dedicated canoe and ski crews, increased female participation ... all with a strong crossover between sport and lifesaving,” Slement said.

“Importantly, many parents have transitioned from the sidelines into active participation — strengthening both our sporting and operational capability.”

At the 2025 Gisborne carnival last year, Wainui had 21 Masters competing. The previous year, at Mount Maunganui, it had just four.

“Yes, we train hard and we love to be competitive, but at its heart, masters is about lifelong participation, connection and continuing to give back to the club,” Slement said.

“The Wainui Weapons reflect the values of commitment, community, wellbeing and fun, demonstrating that surf lifesaving is truly a pathway for life.”

Slement said the club was grateful for the team uniform contribution from sponsor Bronwyn Kay Real Estate.

“Huge thank you also to Adrian Bowling, founder of Mole Map NZ, for keeping us sun-smart with straw hats for the long days at the beach.”

Slement, who works as a strategic adviser for Surf Life Saving NZ, hopes the Wainui example of growing patrol strength through enhanced masters participation will work elsewhere for other clubs.