Lifeguards needed to patrol beach

Four of Foxton Beaches voluntary lifeguards, from the left is Steven Williams, Carla Whittaker, Matt Ball and Daniel Cudby.

Foxton Beach Surf Life Saving Club is on the hunt for new lifeguards to patrol its popular beach.

Over the years the Foxton Beach club has struggled to rally enough lifeguards for its summer patrol and this year was no different with only 10 lifeguards facing the workload of 30.

With up to 150 people at the beach on a busy day, and half of them in the water, Foxton's lifesaving service is vital for the safety of swimmers.

Club chairman Sean Sayer said you don't have to look like David Hasselhoff to become a lifeguard.

"Lifeguards must be physically fit, able to swim, and most importantly have a level head," said Sayer.

"You're going out there in an adrenaline situation, you need to be able to save that person without getting yourself into trouble."

To qualify as a surf lifeguard you must be able to swim 400 metres within nine minutes; complete a beach run, swim, run; rescue someone with a lifesaving tube; and complete a written component. Lifeguards are required to patrol every third weekend between 1pm-5pm.

Sayer said as long as someone can meet the exam requirements the club needs them, regardless of age.

Foxton's location and population were just some of the issues the club had to contend with when trying to recruit lifeguards.

"One of the biggest issues we have is our younger guards heading off to university," Sayer said.

To meet the need this summer, lifeguard members from within the Capital Coast area, between Himatangi Beach, Wellington City and Riversdale Beach on the east coast volunteered to help spread the load.

Capital Coast Local Lifesaving committee chairman Nick Mulcahy said when they saw the need to help out somewhere else, they didn't hesitate to come up with a plan.

"It's great for members of the different surf life saving clubs to come together and gain new experiences," he said.

Three rotations are operating over each weekend this season at Foxton Beach with different Capital Coast clubs taking turns providing two or three lifeguards for a weekend patrol.

Sayer said the arrangement was working well and they intended to continue the relationship next season if they are still short on local patrol numbers.

"It's great that other clubs are able to come in and lend a hand in Foxton's time of need," he said.

¦ If anyone is interested in becoming a Foxton Beach surf lifeguard, contact Foxton Surf Life Saving Club on Facebook or call (06) 363-8043.