Surf Lifesaving New Zealand
SLSNZ Logo
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| Abbreviation | SLSNZ |
|---|---|
| Motto | In it for Life |
| Formation | March 1, 1910 |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Incorporated Society, Charity |
| Purpose | To protect our community in the water. |
| Headquarters | Wellington |
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Region served
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New Zealand |
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Membership
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17 000 |
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President
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Neale Ames[1] |
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Main organ
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Board of Directors |
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Staff
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40 |
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Volunteers
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17 000 |
| Website | SLSNZ Website |
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is the national association representing 74 Surf Life Saving clubs in New Zealand. The organisation's motto is 'In it for Life'. This refers to both the long relationship many members have with the organisation, as well as to the organisation's purpose of preventing drowning and injury, thereby saving lives.
Specific New Zealand beaches are patrolled by qualified Surf Lifeguards from mid October until April each year. Red and Yellow flags indicate that a beach is patrolled by Surf Lifeguards. The area of water in between these flags is designated as the safest place to swim on the beach, as well as showing where Surf Lifeguards are patrolling. It is widely publicised that beachgoers should "Swim Between the Flags" in order to be safe while swimming in the ocean.
Surf lifeguards are identifiable by their yellow shirts and red shorts. Surf Life Saving New Zealand is sponsored chiefly by BP and DHL .
In the early years of the 20th century, the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association (NZASA) controlled the limited amount of life saving activity by explaining resuscitation methods and providing demonstrations at swimming club carnivals. The next step occurred in 1912 when the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) was formed during a conference, called by Canterbury, of all the head centres. The RLSS was established in Christchurch and remains there to this day.
The first surf clubs began in the years 1909-1910 leading off with: Castlecliff (Wanganui), Lyall Bay (Wellington), New Brighton (Christchurch) and Worser Bay Wellington. Over the next few years other clubs formed, around five regions: Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne/Napier/New Plymouth and Wanganui.
In the Northern Region, Piha Surf Life Saving Club was founded in 1934, and as such is the oldest club on Auckland's West Coast and is the home of Piha Rescue.
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