Campaign to Re-Establish Locally Based Lifeguard Service at Baylys Beach
Thursday 13 November 2008, 7:06PM
1095 views
After many years absence, lifeguard patrols will return to Baylys Beach this summer.
A joint Surf Life Saving Northern Region and Kaipara District Council initiative will see seven days a week lifeguard patrols at Baylys Beach from 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009. They will patrol between 11am and 6pm.
The lifeguards and equipment are being provided by Surf Life Saving Northern Region with a $5,000 grant from Kaipara District Council.
This summer’s service is a trial which, in association with a water safety education campaign and recruitment drive, it is hoped will lead to re-establishing some form of local lifeguard service. The Council’s future involvement will depend on the success of the trial and degree of local support.
A public meeting will be held in the Baylys Beach Church Hall at 7pm on Tuesday 2 December to explain what is planned and take the concept further.
Five drownings have occurred since 1980 and Kaipara District Council has received submissions asking for a lifeguard service, with Ripiro Beach residents voicing willingness to help and support this.
The current initiative forms Stage 2 of a ‘Coastal Water Safety Project’ that aligns with the ACC Drowning Prevention Strategy.
Stage 1 involved an in-depth risk assessment of the Baylys Beach – Glinks Gully coastline by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Council implementation of standardised water safety signage.
Stage 2 involves provision of long-term Lifesaving Services to the coast and a public education drive in schools.
This summer, in addition to three weeks patrolling by professional lifeguards, recruitment and training of interested local people, will commence with the aim to have qualified volunteer lifeguards patrolling over the summer of 2009-2010 and beyond.
Council and Surf Life Saving hope that by 2011 Baylys Beach will be patrolled on weekends during the summer by local volunteers, have a local call-out team able to respond to emergencies year round, a robust junior surf (nippers) programme and have local lifeguards employed in the mid week (Monday to Friday) professional service each summer.
Locals interested in becoming lifeguards or supporting this initiative from an administration and organisation point of view are encouraged to contact Lifesaving Manager Dean Storey on dean.storey@lifesaving.org.nz or 0800 SAVE LIFE. They should also attend the public meeting on Tuesday 2 December.
In addition, a beach safety education programme, ‘Surf2School’, will be delivered by Surf Life Saving to schools in the area over 25, 26 and 27 November 2008. Interested schools or groups should contact Simon Bell on simon.bell@lifesaving.org.nz or 0800 SAVE LIFE. Information on the programme can also be found at www.lifesaving.org.nz.
Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller says with more and more people coming to Ripiro Beach it is essential they have access to lifeguard protection.
“Also, having a surf lifesaving club will attract more people to Baylys Beach so it has to be good for the area.”
“I hope the life saving club can be resurrected and that Council will continue to help get this service off the ground.”
“This summer’s arrangement plus the prospect of a permanent pool of local lifeguards has delighted locals” says Baylys Beach Society President, Trish Harding.
“It is a very positive move and I hope local people will take up the opportunity to be trained.”
“There have been drownings and we hear stories of people having to be rescued. I know a lot of people have a fear of their children swimming at Baylys Beach. Lifeguards would give them reassurance.”