Levin-Waitārere Surf Life Saving Club members pose with their new inflatable rescue boat

Press Release

April 9, 2021

[Image: Levin-Waitarere Surf Life Saving Club members pose with their new inflatable rescue boat, donated by bp]

Visitors to Horowhenua’s Waitārere Beach are in safer hands thanks to a new inflatable rescue boat (IRB) donated to Levin-Waitārere Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) by bp New Zealand.

Levin-Waitārere SLSC was one of four clubs in the running for SLSNZ’s annual bp Vote the Boat competition, where members of the public voted on which club was most deserving of a new IRB.

Levin-Waitārere SLSC Club Chair, Andrew Parkin, says the vital piece of rescue equipment is being put to good use – and that his team of volunteer Surf Lifeguards are grateful for the votes they received from the wider community.

“We are so grateful that our community got behind the club – it makes it just that bit more special knowing we have that support,” he says.

“With much of our IRB equipment getting quite old, the reliability of the new boat gives us greater peace of mind, particularly when going into rescue situations. On behalf of all our club members we would like to thank all those who voted for Levin-Waitarere, thanks to bp for making it happen.”

bp Head of Country NZ, Matt Elliott says, ”bp is proud to know that the new IRB will benefit the club and local community for years to come helping keep our beaches safer.”

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) CEO, Paul Dalton, says that as a charity, the continued support and generosity of partners like bp makes it possible for 5000+ volunteer Surf Lifeguards to patrol New Zealand’s beaches.

“The donation of an IRB to a surf lifesaving club is significant because they’re a major piece of rescue equipment and are involved in countless rescues. On behalf of SLSNZ and our clubs, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the team at bp for helping us keep people safe at the beach.”

Levin-Waitārere SLSC’s $25,000 prize includes an IRB hull, outboard engine, trailer, fuel bladder, rescue tube, two lifejackets, two helmets and a $100 bp fuel card.

While the winner was chosen via public vote, Dalton says the other three clubs in the competition were outstanding as well.

“We would like to acknowledge Riversdale Beach SLSC, North Beach SLSC and New Brighton SLSC, who all put an incredible amount of effort into their video campaigns.”

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For more information please contact:

Mackenzie Koppel

Media and Communications Manager

Surf Life Saving NZ

021 757 433

mackenzie.koppel@surflifesaving.org.nz

bp’s Partnership with SLSNZ

bp’s partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand includes an annual donation, a new IRB donated to one club each year (valued at $25,000), and an annual contribution towards fuel costs for every Surf Life Saving club around the country.

The bp Leaders for Life programme provides Surf Lifeguards with a variety of important capabilities, including conflict resolution and leadership skills that can be taken back and applied to their communities and clubs. bp also recognises the efforts of Surf Lifeguards in the bp Rescue of the Month and bp Rescue of the Year awards.

To celebrate the 50-year partnership in 2018, bp introduced the Every Litre Counts campaign, which saw a portion of every litre of fuel sold at bp sites nationwide donated to SLSNZ. Across the last three summers, bp has donated an additional $908,670 to SLSNZ, all thanks to New Zealanders filling up at bp retail sites nationwide.

Following three successful summers of Every Litre Counts, bp and SLSNZ are working on new ways to showcase the partnership that will engage the surf community and the New Zealand public - so watch this space for 2021 and beyond!