News
Between the flags: Ignoring lifeguards nearly cost couple their lives
Renae Samson was confident. Too confident. And it nearly cost her her life. The teen, who had taken swimming lessons as a child and grew up with a pool in her backyard, swam at Muriwai on an almost daily basis and thought she knew everything there was to know about the West Coast beach.
Read more...Between the Flags: Cost of vital lifesaving gear
Most of us wouldn't stop to think about how much it costs to save a life. Not the physical act of leaping into the surf but providing the uniforms for the guards to wear, the flags alerting beachgoers where it's safe to swim, the stretcher to carry them up the beach or the oxygen to help them breath again.
Read more...Between the Flags: Lifeguard Gaby Marshall was nearly swept away as a child
Each time volunteer lifeguard Gaby Marshall heads to Port Waikato to patrol the beach it costs her about $50 in gas. It's a cost she's happy to take on if it means being able to keep people safe - but in an ideal world it's one she wouldn't have to bear.
Read more...Between the Flags: Lifeguard Chaz Gibbons-Campbell rescues two girls from heavy surf
It was pitch black under the water as Chaz Gibbons-Campbell desperately tried to find the girl he was trying to save in the pounding surf. One minute the Whiritoa Beach lifeguard was holding onto a terrified 8-year-old girl as waves broke on top on them. The next minute she was gone and he knew it was highly unlikely she'd make her way back up to the surface on her own.
Read more...Between the Flags: Help our lifeguards to stay afloat this summer
This summer NZME is helping Surf Life Saving to help save lives. The charity relies on the goodwill of thousands of volunteers, fundraising, grants and sponsorship to keep our beaches patrolled. Here's your chance to help raise money for new equipment and lifeguard training.
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