Tolaga Bay and Oreti to reap benefits of new Kubota

Lifeguards at Oreti and Ūawa Tiaki Tai-Tolaga Bay Surf Life Saving Clubs are set to reap the benefits of a 4-wheel drive utility vehicle thanks to the Kubota Trial Programme.

For the last three seasons, Surf Life Saving New Zealand has worked with the support of Kubota in the trial of two side-by-side Kubota vehicles. In the 2012/13 season, the Kubotas went to Raglan and Papamoa and in the 13/14 season they went to Pauanui and North Beach. Last season, Warrington and Fitzroy were the lucky recipients.

This season, clubs were once again offered the chance to trial an RTV1140 and Oreti and Tolaga Bay Surf Life Saving Clubs have been selected as recipients. They will each receive an RTV1140 to help in their efforts to save lives on the beach this summer.

CB Norwood Distributors Kubota Manager Ian Massicks says they are pleased to be a part of something that is key to the safety of New Zealanders enjoying the beach this summer. "Kubota is proud to be in a position to offer this kind of support to communities around the country through Surf Life Saving New Zealand," he says.

Oreti Surf Life Saving Club Chairman Geoff Lewis says the Kubota RTV1140 will make a real difference to the club's operations this summer. "We are one of the few clubs not located right on the beach and this will make it much easier to get our lifeguards and equipment from the clubrooms to the beach," he says.

Tolaga Bay Vice-Club Captain Kerehama Blackman agrees, the addition of a new Kubota RTV1140 will make patrol operations a lot easier this summer. "It will also assist us to raise the profile of lifeguarding in our area and demonstrate to our Iwi and community that we are growing the capability of our service. It will also create some excitement within our team of volunteers, as we kick into the season," he says.

The vehicles will be delivered to the clubs in the coming weeks.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Kubota officially partnered in September 2015. As part of the formal arrangement, Kubota will pay SLSNZ a donation of $100 for every Kubota RTV vehicle sold in New Zealand during the partnership.

They will also provide SLSNZ with equipment to support events around the country, including transport and delivery.

Kubota New Zealand is also working with clubs by providing special pricing along with quotes to aid their funding applications. Click here for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Smith, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.smith@surflifesaving.org.nz