Surf lifesavers preparing for summer with Covid safety requirements in mind

NEW GUARDS: A group of 16 new surf life savers from the three city clubs, pictured here doing their run-swim-run, successfully completed their examination at the weekend, along with nine new Patrol Support personnel. Picture supplied

Surf lifeguards here and across the country have been gearing themselves up to meet Covid-19 health and safety requirements ahead of summer.

Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and its clubs have been working hard to meet the Government guidelines to provide essential life saving services, while also keeping lifeguards safe, said Tairawhiti club development officer Sonia Keepa.

“Surf Life Saving NZ has mandated that all regional lifeguard service guards, that's the paid guards who patrol weekdays during the summer holidays, also beach education instructors and search and rescue squad members have to be double vaccinated.

“Volunteer lifeguards will look a little different on patrol this year with the addition of patrol masks to the uniform,” Mrs Keepa said.

“Nippers will also look a little different this year as clubs come up to speed.

“The clubs will adapt with delivering the essential nipper development and fun activity for youngsters to learn the valuable skills to keep themselves and others safe at the beach,” she said.

“Each club will have designated areas for age groups and will observe record keeping, hygiene/sanitisation, gathering sizes and spacing.”

“We have to really adapt and look at new ways of how we deliver opportunities such as nippers, along with surf sports and our patrols in this time of change,” Mrs Keepa.

The three city clubs start their nipper programmes next Sunday, November 7.

A group of around 25 candidates across the town clubs — Riversun Wainui, Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae and Dawson Building Midway, underwent their Surf Lifeguard Award (SLA) and Patrol Support examinations on Friday night and Saturday morning.

“The Tairawhiti SLA Academy trains all candidates together, with instructors from across the region sharing their knowledge and areas of expertise. “

The group have been training since mid-September, as soon as training was allowed with regards to Covid restrictions.

“This is slightly later than normal due to the lockdown during August but all candidates have taken on the learning and physical components to be ready for this weekend's exam,” Mrs Keepa said.

On Friday night the candidates went through the dry land and theory-based components of the examination, including first aid and CPR.

“On Saturday they hit the water to test their physical swimming abilities and rescue techniques at both the Olympic Pool and Waikanae surf club.”