Lifeguard Patrols and Community Education
Mairangi Bay surf lifesaving
patrol's primary objective is to provide safe beaches for the
public to attend over summer. Due to the relative natural safety of
Mairangi Bay we also provide a center for the instruction of
lifeguards and education of community members in water safety. This
position has been strengthened over the period of our establishment,
and we plan to continue building on this foundation.
Mairangi Bay has
attained an enviable reputation for achieving beach safety over
summer. In the 2005/6 season 133 patrolling members completed
3818.35 hrs of patrol and conducted 38 rescues, 1822
preventative actions and 31 first aids. Due to this success Mairangi
Bay has become a major training ground for junior lifeguards, as it
is here that the necessary skills required for patrolling are
taught.
Members of Mairangi Bay are also encouraged to
participate in patrols on the rugged west coast to refine and
develop these skills, while also providing a safe environment for
the public at these potentially dangerous beaches.
Mairangi Bay also lends itself to the education
and instruction of new members into the surf lifesaving movement by
training community members to become lifeguards. In 1999 Mairangi
Bay had 21 new numbers achieve their Surf Lifeguard award, giving
them eligibility to patrol. This number is the highest among the
clubs in the Northern Region. We also had 5 guards as part of the
paid Regional Guard team.
Mairangi Bay realises that the education of the
general public and especially children in aspects of water safety is
extremely important. Beach Education is becoming an important aspect
of Lifesaving and is especially suited to club like Mairangi Bay.
Recently more than 3 000 school children from the North Shore and
greater Auckland region were given education in water safety using
our equipment and facilities. Training was undertaken utilising club
and Northern Region personnel and will be an on going
programme. |