Safe in the surf
Saving lives for over three decades, not only is the Omaha Beach Surf Life Saving Club dedicated to making sure beachgoers are safe in and out of the water, the club also plays an integral part in teaching kids invaluable, lifelong skills.
Anyone visiting Omaha Beach tends to gravitate towards the Surf Club. The iconic black tower is a meeting point for beachgoers, and during the summer months it is where flags indicate a safe area to swim, along with a patrol of lifeguards on careful watch – their primary objective being to prevent drowning incidents and water-related injuries.
On the beach on Sundays, from November to April, in front of the black tower, is an impressive and lively hive of activity with children between the ages of five and 14, all taking part in the club’s Junior Surf Education Program. A training ground for future lifeguards, the program aims to teach the children everything they need to know about water safety. It’s a fun morning at the beach and a whole-family affair; with coaches, volunteers and parents all getting involved in some way, whether it is in the water with the kids, or afterwards cooking or serving the sausage sizzle at the club.
When the kids reach 13 years-of-age, they qualify for ‘Rookie’ status, which means they are eligible to participate in the training required to become real lifeguards. As a Junior Committee Member and also a mother of three kids – who all take part in Surf Life Saving – Rachel Iversen says, “One of the things I love about the club is that it offers kids a sense of belonging, and while the journey to become a lifeguard takes commitment, it’s also so much fun along the way.”
This year, the number of members at Junior Surf was unprecedented and for the first time ever, membership had to be capped. “The growth of the club has come from the emphasis that has been placed on it being a family-centred, all-inclusive community club where everybody of all ages feels welcomed and included at every level,” says club president, Linda Crisford. “The programis delivered by dedicated coaches, managers, parents and Junior Surf committee members who go out of their way to provide a fun and skill-based program. This was one of the key reasons we were awarded the title of Northern Regions Club Of the Year in 2022. The growth of the Juniors means the club will continue to increase the number of lifeguards we have in the future. Lifeguarding is the absolute focus of the club ensuring everyone is safe on, in and around the water.”
As a non-profit organisation, the club always welcomes donations which are vital for their ongoing operation. If you would like to donate, no matter how small, please visit their website.
www.OmahaSurf.co.nz