LIFESAVING

LIFEGUARDS “in it for life”

What We Do

Surf lifeguard patrols are the primary role of Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club and they support our mission to protect our community in and around the water. Our volunteer lifeguards are proud to wear their Surf Lifeguard uniform while delivering patrol at Ōrewa Beach every weekend over summer and Wenderholm Beach during the peak periods. The presence of our lifeguards on the beach provides reassurance to beach users and the general public at large. They are responsible for a number of rescues and preventative actions each year.

In line with SLSNZ, Ōrewa Club ensures that a good standard of patrol is maintained, and this requires minimum numbers of lifeguards with the appropriate qualifications, including IRB and Surf First Aid to be present during all patrols.

The season patrol typically begins Labour Weekend and concludes at the end of Easter Weekend.

As a lifeguard, you must complete a minimum amount of patrol hours throughout the season. Completing your minimum patrol hours is also required in order to compete in the Senior Surf Sports competitions. Participation in the Surf Sports is optional but encouraged as this is a great way to maintain core lifesaving skills and fitness.

Become a Patrolling Member

If you’re keen to become a volunteer Surf Lifeguard, you need to be at least 14 years of age and be able to swim 400m free-style in under 9 minutes.

You‘ll need to join your local club who will provide the Surf Lifeguard Award training program. In terms of gear, you will need a wetsuit, togs, goggles and swim fins.

After you achieve your Surf Lifeguard Award, you’ll join a patrol team and will be rostered for duty. Volunteer Surf Lifeguards patrol on weekends and public holidays during the summer season with the purpose to prevent loss of life and harm on patrolled beaches.

Volunteering as a Surf Lifeguard is both fun and rewarding - you’ll make a real difference in people’s lives and have a great time along the way. If you are interested in becoming a patrolling member with Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club, please email admin@orewasurfclub.org.nz for more information.

Benefits of An Active Patrolling Member

There’s also a number of additional training and development opportunities that you can access and specialise in. This includes advanced surf lifeguarding, search and rescue, first aid, inflatable rescue boats (IRBS) to rescue water craft (jet skis) operation, leadership development, and so much more. Surf Life Saving provides a great pathway into many emergency service careers.

As a surf lifeguard, you are also able to compete in Surf Sports events and enjoy access to regular coaching programmes. Regions have representative teams and development squads are actively seeking new talent.

Patrolling Options

As a senior member (14 + years) you can join a patrol team as either a Surf Lifeguard or a Patrol Support.

Qualifying as a Lifeguard

To be a qualified lifeguard you must be 14 years or older and pass your Surf Lifeguard Award exam. The exam comprises:

400m pool swim in under 9 minutes
Run/swim/run in the surf
Resuscitation test
Rescue test
Theory questions
Practical surf knowledge test.

Once you are qualified, an active Surf Lifeguard must perform a refresher test each season to maintain their knowledge and skills. This includes a swim, resuscitation test and first aid questions. It is not designed to fail people but to ensure their fitness and knowledge is up to the required standard.

Qualifying as a Patrol Supporter

Patrol Support is the same as the Surf Lifeguard Award but without the in water component (no swimming or tube rescue included). Patrol Support members do not take part in any water based activities when on patrol. They are an extension to the minimum number of Lifeguards required on patrol and are a very valued part of the patrol team.

The Patrol Support certifies that the holder has the basic skills and knowledge to be a Patrol Support Member. Patrol Support is considered to be an extension to the minimum number of lifeguards required on patrol, as stated in the Patrol Operations Manual.

To be a qualified patrol supporter you must be 14 years or older and pass your patrol support exam. The exam comprises of the entire theoretical component of the Surf Lifeguard Award, which includes:

First Aid
Radio Operations
CPR
Signals

Once you are qualified as a Patrol Support, you must perform a refresher test each season to maintain their knowledge and skills. This includes an online first aid and theory assessment followed by a practical demonstration of resuscitation.

While the patrol support member may take on leadership roles in the club, including Vice Patrol Caption, this does not extend to the position of Patrol Captain.

Refreshers

For the purpose of a current Surf Lifeguard who for whatever reason is not able to complete the physical requirements of the annual Surf Lifeguard Refresher, they can transfer their award classification from the Surf Lifeguard Award (refresher) to the Patrol Support (refresher) via SLSNZ. And a Patrol Supporter can continue to complete the entire requirements for the Surf Lifesaving Award (SLA) at a future date should they want to.