Waimārama Surf Life Club members Peter Hannah and Barry Keehan patrol Waimārama Beach in a Land Rover.
Waimārama Surf Life Club members Peter Hannah and Barry Keehan patrol Waimārama Beach in a Land Rover.
The tide has gone in and out at Waimārama Beach nearly 55,000 times since 1950.
Just about the only thing it hasn’t been able to change in that time is the Waimārama Surf Life Saving Club.
For 75 years, life savers have been watching the waters of one of Hawke’sBay’s best beaches go in and out, checking nothing out of the ordinary is happening.
Some days are dull, some are brutal, all are important.
Former lifeguards, club members, beach locals and beach lovers are now invited to commemorate the club’s diamond anniversary this December.
Running the weekend of December 5 and 6, organisers are hoping to reconnect with as many past club members as possible.
Club chairman Ken Laurie said it’s not just about the club – it’s about all the people who’ve been part of the club’s story over the decades.
“We want this to be a true homecoming – for everybody to come and mark this milestone, because without those from the past, we wouldn’t be where we are now,” he said.
After starting in 1950 with “five or six members”, Laurie said the club has grown like you wouldn’t believe.
“We’ve performed countless rescues and saved lives and it’s just become what it is now – this big family-orientated club that welcomes people in and likes to serve the community.”
Waimārama Surf Life Saving Club at the 1963 New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships, held at Westshore Beach in Napier.
The party starts on the Friday night, with a register and reconnect gathering at the Havelock North Community Centre, and features a nostalgic look at the club’s history through memorabilia and photos.
Saturday involves a family-friendly beach day with rescue demonstrations, guided tours of the clubhouse and patrol tower, group photos by decade and activities for all.
Later that night is the official 75th Celebration Dinner at the Assembly Ballroom at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre featuring speakers, an opportunity to dress up, dance to a live band, enjoy a meal, swap stories and honour the surf club.
