The Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC was officially formed on 1
December 1949; at that time we had only six volunteer lifeguards to
patrol the beach. We have come a long way since our inception and
now boast a strong membership base and have some of the best club
facilities within Surf Life Saving in New Zealand.
Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC hosts full time professional
patrols during the peak summer period. Whangamata SLSC has a strong
Junior Surf programme which caters for children under 14 years old.
The programme aims to teach fundamental ocean and beach skills,
surf life saving sport disciplines, first aid, and water safety in
a fun environment. Last season (2010-11) Whangamata SLSC had 220
junior club members. Whangamata SLSC provides a high performance
programme for our junior members. This is a highly regarded
programme, with children winning national titles annually.
Junior surf starts at the age of 6, and finishes with 14 year
olds becoming life guards. Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC hosts full
time professional patrols include over the main summer period. The
Thames-Coromandel District Council fund the patrols and the
patrolling lifeguards are typically Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC
members. Eight regional professional life guards patrolled Monday
to Friday and approximately 30 volunteer guards patrolled every day
for the main weeks of summer last season. With several weeks of
full time patrols Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC is able to protect
the popular beach; allowing holiday makers to enjoy their summer
break.
Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC is committed to striving for
excellence in providing the highest levels of professionalism to
the public who use Whangamata's aquatic environment. Trust Waikato
Whangamata SLSC achieve this by requiring lifeguards to refresh
their skills every season, the refresher includes testing
lifeguards on their CPR, swimming, rescue, first aid, and beach
knowledge skills. Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC constantly leads
the way for other clubs in New Zealand. With Whangamata being the
largest surf club on the Coromandel Peninsula we assist other clubs
in trainings, and large scale rescues. Whanga Week is a week long
summer festival created by our club Patron Richard Scelly QSM.
During this week the Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC organise and run
various events to fundraise for essential lifesaving equipment.
The events are always popular and include a 10km Fun Run,
Harbour Swim, Miss Whangamata, 'Pub to Club' fun run, Fun Walk,
Miracle Mile beach run, and the Surfboat Spectacular. Whilst this
festival is a fundraising initiative for Trust Waikato Whangamata
SLSC, it is also a fun way for holiday makers to enjoy beautiful
sunny Whangamata. The Trust Waikato Whangamata SLSC club rooms and
accommodation block are also available for hire for week days and
weekends in the off season; and week days all year round apart from
the main summer period. The club rooms are perfect for weddings,
school trips and private functions.
