Day at Whanganui beach raises funds for lifeguards

Olivia Jackson, 8, was one of hundreds digging for prizes at Kai Iwi Beach during a fundraising day for the Whanganui Surf Lifeguard Service. Photo / Stuart Munro

Organiser Paula Fore wished a bigger area had been set aside for a dig at Kai Iwi Beach when she saw the children poised to start, with adults waiting right behind.

Children under 10 got a head start on the adults as sand began to fly at 1pm. Everyone was looking for numbered orange plastic tags buried 200mm to 300mm under the sand.

Those who found them could redeem them for 100 prizes - either a lollipop and orange balloon or something more substantial. Once they had claimed their prize they could continue digging.

At least 303 people paid a gold coin to enter and not all the tags were found, Fore said.

"There were still 20 prizes left in the sand and people were still digging at 3pm, looking for them."

The day at the beach also included a sandcastle competition, with about 50 sandcastles ready for judging at 2.30pm. The crowds were also to see police and lifeguard demonstrations, on what was the last day for surf lifeguards to patrol the beaches this summer.

The weather was perfect and it was a hugely successful day, Fore said.

The main sponsor was Mitre 10 Mega, and Fore wanted to thank Wanganui Sounds and the Cancer Society for their input. People from the Mowhanau settlement were also on hand to help, along with the surf lifeguards themselves.