Surf Life Saving celebrates 100 years in Christchurch

Over the past 100 years Surf Lifeguards have saved more than 50,000 lives on our beaches – and this summer Surf Life Saving New Zealand has been celebrating and paying tribute to the dedication and leadership of the men and women who have served New Zealand beaches over the century.

As part of Surf Life Saving’s Centenary celebrations, a fun interactive exhibition ‘Between The Flags – 100 Years of Surf Life Saving’ is opening it’s doors in Christchurch from 16 - 21 of April at Tower Junction, corner Foster and Picton Streets, Addington.

Thanks to State Insurance, this free exhibition has been touring the country allowing Kiwis to be part of this amazing display of interactive technology and contrasting historical photographs. Housed in a 12m container, state-of-the art equipment highlights the changes to Surf Life Saving over the century and historical photographs and memorabilia tell legendary stories of 100 years of Surf Life Saving.

Interactive exhibits include the popular IRB Rescue Challenge, a simulated IRB ride where the driver must attempt to rescue a swimmer in trouble within the designated timeframe. Sitting on a simulated IRB pontoon, the driver steers the outboard motor in front of a 46 inch flat screen with animated graphics to bring the patient safely to shore.

The exhibition also includes a simulated rip scenario - designed to help educate the public about the dangers of rips and currents and to better understand the dangers associated with rips.

“This is a truly impressive display of our history and is proving extremely popular right across the country. Cantabrian’s have obviously been through so much this year and we hope by bringing our exhibition to Christchurch we can encourage residents to have a bit of fun and learn about our history at the same time.” said Grant Florence, Surf Life Saving Chief Executive.

‘Between the Flags’ has toured through major town centres around New Zealand. It will end its tour in Auckland at the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum where it will be on display for a limited time from July.

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Editors Notes:

· ‘Between the Flags – 100 Years of Surf Life Saving’ is a fully transportable interactive exhibition highlighting the last 100 Years of Surf Life Saving in New Zealand. It will travel throughout the country from October 2010 – April 2011. It is free for all New Zealanders.

· The technology is housed in a 12 metre container fitted out with state-of-the art interactive flat screens, the world’s first interactive IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) Challenge and an interactive hands-on understanding of Rip Technology.

· The exhibition will inform the public about the history of Surf Life Saving in New Zealand, as well as educate users about Beach Safety by engaging with interactive technology.

· The exhibition will act as an educational tool for schools learning about Beach Safety. It encourages the learner to find answers to questions through his or her own exploration of the exhibit.

· ‘Between the Flags’ contains a comprehensive selection of historical and current memorabilia including equipment, costumes, photographs and medals.

· The exhibition includes information on all 73 Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout New Zealand.

· ‘Between the Flags – 100 Years of Surf Life Saving’ will tour Wellington, Otaki, New Plymouth, Napier, Gisborne, Taupo, Whangamata, Auckland, Mt. Maunganui, Christchurch, Dunedin from October 2010 – April 2011. It will then be on display at Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum in Auckland for a limited time from July 2011

· ‘Between the Flags – 100 Years of Surf Life Saving’ is an exhibition that is made up of five components that will appeal all New Zealanders:

A detailed timeline of Surf Life Saving in New Zealand

Technology Showcase - equipment and memorabilia highlighting the evolution of technology in Surf Lifesaving over the last 100 years - including: Swimming costumes- from wool to nylon to lycra, Lifeguard equipment – from reel and lines to tubes and flippers, Increasing technical equipment – defibrillators, first aid equipment, Material and design changes from wooden equipment to fiberglass, Development of powered rescue boats – the story of the IRB

Interactive Surf Cap Touch Screens
Housed across 5 screens, the interactive Surf Lifesaving Caps store information and stories from the 73 clubs throughout NZ. When a visitor touches a Cap, information appears showing where the club is located, details about the club’s membership, rescue statistics, stories and photos.

IRB Rescue Challenge
Perform a simulated rescue on the world’s first interactive IRB Rescue Challenge. The object of the game is to ‘drive’ the IRB out through the surf to pick up a patient and return safely to shore. This combines game logic with a 3D element consisting of a Mercury outboard motor – a unique and highly complex interactive experience. Software has been custom designed to realistically simulate driving an IRB through waves. It is individually crafted to react to waves whilst being motor propelled. The boat will flip and the crew fall if a mistake is made.


Rip Interactive

The display includes a water filled beach scenario. By turning a handle visitors can make the water move in and out, like a small wave machine, and watch what happens to the water. All that water comes into the beach needs to find a way out again and visitors can see for themselves how rips, holes and other hazards occur in the sea.
The Rip interactive is a hands-on teaching tool and includes aerial photographs of the beach so visitors can learn how to identify rips.