Lifeguard patrol season kicks off

7 Nov, 2022

Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) patrols returned to the beach on Labour Weekend. The weekend also included a mass lifeguard refresher run by club chief instructor Jess Costello. Volunteer lifeguards will patrol Mangawhai Heads weekends and public holidays until Easter 2023.

This season will also feature the second year of the Rookie Lifeguard Programme, with junior lifeguards aged 12-14 training on the beaches alongside qualified guards. In 2022 the club has a 10-strong group of rookies. Alongside this there is a group of 25 trainee lifeguards who will complete an exam over the summer period.

The Junior Surf Programme for 5-12-year-olds started on Sunday November 6, with over 150 ‘nippers’ registered for the weekly beach training sessions. Nippers include water and beach activities, along with opportunities for members to compete in carnivals throughout the summer.

The club is also excited to add a new Rescue Water Craft (RWC) to its rescue capabilities, with a team of eight recently-qualified RWC operators and four ‘in training’. The RWC is an amazing rescue asset that can be used to support both day-to-day lifeguarding operations and after-hours search and rescue. MHVLS thanks sponsors Mangawhai Opportunity Factory, Four Square Mangawhai Heads, Pub Charity Ltd, Tara Iti, and The Club Mangawhai in helping the club obtain the RWC.

The MHVLS Search & Rescue Squad (SAR) have responded to a number of after-hours rescues during the off-season, and continue to train and upskill in SAR operations.

The Club will also celebrate its 60th anniversary on April 6, 2023. Other club events include the Jackman Waterman Classic (12km ocean paddle race) in December 2022, along with the 30th anniversary of the Lifeguard Longboard Nationals in February 2023.

The club would like to thank the local community and businesses for their ongoing support, and looks forward to seeing locals and visitors on the beach this summer.

Volunteer lifeguards will patrol Mangawhai Heads weekends and public holidays until Easter 2023. PHOTO/SUPPLIED