Lifeguard service hooks into auction funds

JULIA WADE

In the wake of a recent local fishing event, an essential lifesaving organisation have netted the catch of the day.

Mangawhai Boating & Fishing Club’s (MBFC) annual Anniversary Weekend Fishing Competition, January 25-26, attracted large numbers of eager anglers who caught thousands of dollars for Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) with a cast of their lines.

With perfect weather conditions, ‘a bumper field’ of 85 senior and 23 junior competitors hauled in a total of 174 fish with a total weight of 357kg which were then auctioned off to an enthusiastic crowd. The collective bids tallied to an impressive $3334, all donated to the surf life savers for training and equipment MBFC chair Graham Bayes says.

“They provide an excellent volunteer service for our local seaside community, offering opportunities to the very young to build confidence in the water, through the various age groups to the senior members in competition and lifesaving skills,” he says. “Our thanks go to all the sponsors who put up prize money for the various categories, and to those who volunteered their time to organise and run the competition and support service to make such a success of the day.”

In the first two months of 2020, MHVLS president Jon Drucker say they have qualified 10 surf lifeguards, two patrol support members, eight inflatable rescue boat (IRB) operators, 11 IRB crew members, one surf lifeguard award instructor, and an IRB operator instructor.

“As well as numerous awards in first aid levels,” he says “these newly qualified members continue to increase our lifesaving capability, which came in handy just very recently.”

On February 29, two women and five children were swimming between the flags at Mangawhai Heads surf beach when they got caught in a flash rip current. Four lifeguards including ‘newly minted’ guard Chris Mennell, who was on his first patrol, responded using rescue tubes, swim fins, and a rescue paddleboard similar to the one donated by Mangawhai Club.

“All involved were brought safely back to the beach,” Drucker says. “The paddleboard donation is yet another example of how community support helps us save lives, and with the continued support from organisations like The Club and Mangawhai Boating & Fishing Club, the lifeguard service has been able to begin the new decade on a high note.”

n For more information, or to support the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service, visit them at mangawhaisurfclub.org.nz

Mangawhai Boating & Fishing Club chair Graham Bayes and treasurer Cara Shields present a cheque to MHVLS president Jon Drucker and, at left, chair Gordon Finlayson. PHOTO/JULIA WADE

“They provide an excellent volunteer service for our local seaside community.”

Graham Bayes