Gala dinner to mark 100 volunteer years
1st August 2010
SLSNZ to celebrate 100 years of surf life saving in NZ
Surf Life Saving NZ is about to celebrate 100 years of surf life saving in New Zealand with a glittering Gala Dinner. The evening at Auckland’s Langham Hotel, which is expected to attract more than 900 people, will also launch the Summer of the Surf Lifeguard to begin the 2010-11 season.
The Red Beach Surf Club wants to hear from members – past & present – who would like to attend the function. Tickets are $145 per person or $1,300 for a 10-seat table; the ticket price includes a three-course dinner and beverages. To make a booking through the Red Beach club, click here.
Ocean Waves
1st August 2010
Photo # 48 in our pictorial series on ocean waves. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
New patrol trophy
1st August 2010
Won by the Piper Patrol for the 2009/10 season
Red Beach’s new Patrol of the Year Trophy will be up for grabs again this coming summer. The trophy features a signals chart which used to hang on a wall in the old clubrooms before they were demolished in December 1982. The chart ended up on top of a pile of debris in the nearby creek before being retrieved by Chris Gurr and stored for ‘future use’. It has been given a makeover and will now be awarded annually to the club’s top patrol group.
The inaugural winner for the 2009/10 season was the Piper Patrol comprising of William Lloyd, Kurt Leopard (co-captains), Alistair Presland, Joshua Davison, Kasey Cairns, Melissa Gracie, Georgia Lloyd, Jasmin Cornish, Robyn Presland, Owen Wilson, Kevin Stinson, Tyler Baldwin, Paul McGinley & Jeff Pope.
Red Beach lifesaving manager Chris Gurr with the Patrol of the Year Trophy, won last season by the Piper Patrol.
Recognition awards to six club members
1st August 2010
Awards made at club’s annual meeting in July
Six Red Beach Surf Club members received recognition for their services to surf lifesaving and to the club when awards were handed out at the recent Annual General Meeting. All the recipients are parents of members in either the JuniorSurf or SeniorSurf divisions. Making the presentations was club president Mike Taylor.
Recognised for their services to the club’s JuniorSurf division, from left: Jenny Readman, Owen Wilson, Lianne Wilson.
Also receiving Recognition Awards, from left, Grant Davison, Brian Maney and Phil George.
187 National Titles
1st August 2010
Red Beach Surf Club has garnered 187 National titles during its 57 year history. The club's first title was won in 1958 at South Brighton, Christchurch when the Senior 6-Man Rescue & Resuscitation team took out the Nelson Shield, the blue riband event of the NZ Championships.
The greatest number of gold medals collected by the club at a national event was in 2006 at New Plymouth when 17 titles were won.
The club has won the Allan Gardner Memorial Trophy for overall points at the NZ Championships on four occasions. The wins came in 1991 (Gisborne), 1992 (New Plymouth), 1993 (Mt Maunganui) and 2006 (New Plymouth).
The Allan Gardner Memorial Trophy which has been won by Red Beach on four occasions.
Events coming up
1st August 2010
Sun 8 Aug IRB Exam, West Coast
Sat 4 Sept 90 Mile Classic IRB Challenge, Far North
Sat 11 Sept Long Distance Carnival, Orewa
Sat 18 Sept SLSNR Pool Champs, Westwave, Henderson
Sat 18 Sept Surf Life Saving Centenary Gala Dinner, Langham Hotel, Auckland
1, 2, 3 Oct NZ Surf Life Saving Pool Championships, Wellington
6 - 16 Oct Rescue 2010 World Lifesaving Championships, Alexandria, Egypt
Sun 10 Oct Surf Lifeguard Award Exam
Sat 16 Oct King Of Rangitoto event
Sun 17 Oct SLSNR Mass Refresher day
Sat 23 Oct Patrol season commences
NZ Surf Boat Series
1st July 2010
Surf boat series to start up again in December
Dates and venues have been confirmed for the
NZ Surf Boat Series for 2010-11. Wellington’s Titahi Bay will be the venue for the first round of the series when it kicks off in December.
Sat 4 Dec Round # 1 : Titahi Bay, Wellington
Sun 2 Jan Round # 2 : Whangamata Surf Boat Spectacular
5, 6 Feb Round # 3 : Nth Island Surf Boat Champs, Waihi
Sat 12 Feb Round # 4 : Big Wave Classic, Piha
Want the weather?
1st July 2010
To check out the weather forecast over the next 5 days, click here and enter your city in the search box.
New asphalt layer
1st July 2010
The sealing of a new asphalt layer over the area beneath the club deck has been completed. The job was carried out earlier this month to provide improved access to the gear storage areas and the club changerooms.
90 Mile Classic IRB Challenge coming up
28th June 2010
The
90 Mile Classic IRB Challenge is coming up again on
Saturday 4th September. The event, hosted by Far North Rescue in conjunction with SLSNR, is raced from Scott’s Point at the north end of 90 Mile Beach to Ahipara in Northland.
The race is run in stages to test each crew’s skills and stamina as well as the reliability of the equipment. The top crews are expected to take 2 ½ - 3 hrs depending on conditions. Red Beach is likely to have four crews taking part in the race.
To read more about the event,
click here.
Above and below, pics from last year’s event, supplied by Dean Pouwhare.
Ocean Waves
28th June 2010
Photo # 47 in our pictorial series on ocean waves. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Surf boat surprises
28th June 2010
"Who invited the seal on board?"
Big attendance for Excellence awards
15th June 2010
The recent SLSNR Awards of Excellence function at the Ellerslie Racecourse Convention Centre saw 435 guests in attendance. Red Beach club members were amongst the award winners and we bring you the results and photos from the night.
For the full list of award winners, click here.
Recognition given to four club members
15th June 2010
Distinguished Service Award for Patsy Horne
Four Red Beach club members have been recognised by Surf Life Saving Northern Region for their services to the movement. The presentations were made at the Awards of Excellence function.
Patsy Horne, above, was presented with a Distinguished Service Award. Originally a member of the South Brighton club, she joined Red Beach in 1985 and has filled the roles of ladies captain and R&R coach. For three years she was a member of Auckland rep teams and won three gold medals at the World Masters event at Red Beach in 1991. She was the Director of Surf Sports for SLSNR for four years and for the past 17 years she has been a member of the Board of Judges, officiating at surf carnivals. At national level, Patsy has been a judge for 17 years.
Chris Gurr, right, was the recipient of a Service Award. Also from South Brighton, Chris joined Red Beach in 1982 and made his mark as an R&R coach with his young charges winning national medals. On three occasions he coached rep teams for Australian tours. For five years he was a member of the ASLSA helicopter squad and for 8 years a member of the Board of Judges. For six years during the 1980’s he was a Nationals judge. Chris spearheaded the establishment of patrols at Pakiri by Red Beach lifeguards during the summer of 2009/10.
Vaughan Skiffington, left, and Brian Maney with their Service Awards.
Club coach Vaughan Skiffington was presented with a Service Award. At age 14 he obtained his Surf Lifeguard Award and developed into a top competitor, winning numerous national titles. Vaughan has been a committee member for eight years and on the fundraising committee for four years. He has been the club coach for the past 10 years, winning the NZ Surf Coach of the Year award in 2006.
Brian Maney, who also received a Service Award, has been a JuniorSurf coach for nine years and a committee member for nine years. He was the club’s powercraft manager for two years and has been the club’s IRB instructor for the past four years. Brian was the first Red Beach club member to obtain the IRB Examiner’s award.
Red Beach members collect four awards
15th June 2010
The SLSNR Awards of Excellence night delivers up success for four Red Beach club members
The Club Administrator of the Year award went to Ross Malyon, right, who has been the club’s executive officer for the past 18 years. He is the club’s publicity officer and a photographer for both Red Beach and SLS Northern Region, capturing surf lifesaving activities both locally and nationally. He has also co-ordinated the Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival for the past 36 years. Ross is the convenor of the Club Awards sub-committee, a trustee of the BH Heron Lifeguard Development Trust and the club’s historian.
The Volunteer of the Year award went to Chris Gurr who was overseas at the time of the function. As the club’s lifesaving manager he pursued a vision to have lifeguards patrolling at Pakiri, a one hour drive north, seeing it as an opportunity to provide a lifeguard service for thousands of beach-goers at a popular beach. He then set the wheels in motion to get patrols under way. It was a colossal challenge and he put in an incalculable amount of time to oversee the operation. On numerous occasions he put on a lifeguard uniform and fully involved himself in patrolling. Footnote: Red Beach lifeguards carried out 11 rescues at Pakiri over the summer.
Alistair 'AJ' Maney was the winner of the U19 Sportsman of the Year award. He also won the award in 2008.
Madeline Readman was the winner of the U14 Sportswoman of the Year award.
J’Surf excellence
15th June 2010
Matt Thetford with the JuniorSurf Auckland Championships points trophy won by Red Beach JuniorSurf members last summer. The event, held over two days in February, saw the club amass 759 points to finish 405 points clear of its nearest rival. It was the club’s third consecutive win. Footnote: Matt was a finalist for the U14 Sportsman of the Year award.
2010-2011: Summer of the Surf Lifeguard
15th June 2010
The coming season, to be known as the Summer of the Surf Lifeguard, will be launched at a glittering Gala Dinner in Auckland on 18th September. The event at the Langham Hotel will celebrate 100 years of surf lifesaving in New Zealand. More than 900 people from throughout New Zealand and across the Tasman are expected to attend.
The season will culminate with the Centenary Nationals in Christchurch from 10th-13th March 2011. To learn more about the Gala Dinner and the centenary celebrations, click here.
Ocean Waves
15th June 2010
Photo # 46 in our pictorial series on ocean waves. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Board games …
15th June 2010
We bring you the second of two photo essays on Red Beach competitors in action during the past summer.
Paddy Maney in action during the Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival at Red Beach in January.
"No, not that way. The finish flags are over here". Joshua Smith & Sam Haggerty competing in a board rescue event at the Auckland Championships in February.
Jacinta Borer competing in a JuniorSurf carnival at Red Beach last December.
Corbin Hart puts in a finishing burst during an U16 board race at Muriwai in December.
Jack Player competing in a JuniorSurf carnival at Red Beach last December.
Briar McLeely hits the front during the closing stages of a C group board race at Red Beach.
Joshua Smith competing in the Cath & Eddie Millar Cup event at Omaha in March.
Levon Hutchinson nearing the finish of a B group board race at Red Beach in December.
Mitchell Ryan tries to shelter from the wind and rain during a board rescue event at the NRC's at Mt Maunganui in January. Photos by Ross Malyon.
Flashbacks …
15th June 2010
Series 17 … photographs from yesteryear.
1973: Red Beach club members during a lighter moment at the NZ Surf Life Saving Championships, Oakura Beach, New Plymouth.
1976: NZ Championships, Paekakariki. Mandy Glover became Red Beach's first female competitor to win a National title. She was presented with a new rescue tube by Reg Harker for winning the open women's tube rescue event. Standing alongside her is the rescue 'patient' Carol Harker who also received a gold medal.
1982/83: A Red Beach surf boat crew competing on the west coast. The wearing of life jackets during racing was compulsory. Ted Taylor is sweeping the boat.
IRB Champs action!
15th June 2010
We bring you our photo essay on Red Beach IRB crews in action at the Auckland Championships held at Ruakaka in February.
Awaiting the next race, from left: Dylan French, Daniel Cairns, Brock Hart, Corbin Hart, Rhys Payne, Daly Tuilaepa. Photos by Ross Malyon.
Trans Tasman Tri Series next summer
4th June 2010
The Trans Tasman Tri Series will feature on the surf calendar of events for the 2010-11 season. Surf Life Saving Northern Region will send a team of athletes to Australia’s Central Coast in January to compete against teams from Central Coast and NSW Country branches. The series takes place every two years, with the two branch teams having competed in New Zealand in January 2009.
Terrigal Beach on Australia’s Central Coast, an hour north of Sydney. Terrigal is one of the most popular residential and holiday resort centres in the area. The beach is a possible venue in the 3-test series next January.
Ocean Waves
4th June 2010
Photo # 45 in our pictorial series on ocean waves. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Rescues at Pakiri
4th June 2010
Red Beach lifeguards carried out 11 rescues during the first summer of patrolling at Pakiri Beach. Volunteer patrols commenced on 5th December 2009 and were maintained until Sunday 15th February, running up a total of 683 patrol hours. The patrol statistics are:
Rescues: 11
Searches: 2
First Aids: 27
Preventative Actions: 150.
Board games …
4th June 2010
We bring you the first of two photo essays on Red Beach competitors in action during the past summer.
Jared Pouwhare leaps from his board while competing in the U19 board relay during the Auckland Championships at Ruakaka.
Vaughan Skiffington in action at the Auckland Championships at Ruakaka.
Georgia Lloyd sprints for the finish flags in the U19 board race event at the NZ Championships at Ohope in March.
Izaak Scheib competing in the Cath & Eddie Millar Cup event at Omaha in March.
Rhys Payne in the U16 board event at Ruakaka.
Emma Butterfield competing in the JuniorSurf carnival held at Red Beach in December.
Dylan French pushing towards the finish flags during a board race at the NZ Championships at Ohope Beach in March.
AJ Maney, right, about to take out the U19 board race final during the Auckland Championships at Ruakaka in February.
Daly Tuilaepa, left, and Lauren Bailey in the U16 board rescue event at the NZ Championships at Ohope.
JuniorSurf members get their boards into position for a Sunday morning training session at Red Beach. Photos by Ross Malyon.
Sunday breakfasts
4th June 2010
Kick start Sunday with breakfast at the Red Beach Surf Club!
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Red Beach clubrooms – right on the beachfront - where the meals are just as superb as the view. Available every Sunday from 9.00 am – 12 noon.
To check out the Sunday breakfast menu, click here.
Check out the tides
4th June 2010
The tide chart has become a popular link on this website. If you're wanting to know the tide times for a specific day on either coast, right through 2010 & 2011, click here.
IRB crew training
16th May 2010
20 candidates in training for IRB qualifications
Red Beach has its biggest-ever squad of lifeguards in training for IRB crewman and driver awards. Twenty club members have shown their interest in obtaining the qualifications. Training commenced at Red Beach this month and will move to the west coast beaches of Piha and Muriwai on the weekends ahead. Instructing the squad are Brian Maney, Dean Pouwhare and Mark Readman.
Instructors Brian Maney & Dean Pouwhare (standing at left) with 15 of the 20 IRB candidates at a training session at Red Beach.
Collaroy centenary
16th May 2010
Collaroy Surf Club, Red Beach's sister club in Australia, celebrates its centenary in 2011. The celebrations will take place over the weekend of 28,29,30 October, as follows:
Friday Cocktail Party at the Long Reef Golf Club Saturday Formal Ball at Harbord Diggers, Freshwater Beach Sunday Surf Carnival or similar at Collaroy Beach
We'll keep you posted on the arrangements as we learn about them.
Above and below, Collaroy Beach with the ‘Young Guns’ surf boat carnival in progress, January 2008.
Want the weather?
16th May 2010
To check out the weather forecast over the next 5 days, click here and enter your city in the search box.
Flashbacks …
16th May 2010
Series 16 … photographs from yesteryear.
1958 Nationals: Red Beach’s March Past team at South Brighton Beach, Christchurch for the NZ Surf Life Saving Championships. Standing, from left: Fred Dennerly, Doug Ellis, Gary Chapman, Roy Woodall, Ross Warman, Tony Marsh, Graham Wolf, Paul Ranby. In front: Allan Anderson, Reg Harker.
NRC's Carnival 1980: Red Beach's U-18 Taplin relay team at Mt Maunganui. From left: Bryce Brown, Tony Olsen, John Alderman, Andrew Olsen, David Ross, Eamonn Murphy.
Clubrooms 1983: The Red Beach Surf Club just prior to its official opening in March 1983 by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. The sandy area became the tarsealed car park during the summer which followed.
Centenary of surf lifesaving in NZ
16th May 2010
The centenary of surf lifesaving in New Zealand which takes place in 2010 will mark 100 years since the first lifesaving patrols were started.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) was not officially formed until 1932 and so the New Zealand body itself is not celebrating 100 years of existence.
The first clubs to be established were New Brighton and Lyall Bay, both in 1910. To mark the occasion, the New Zealand Championships will be held at New Brighton, Christchurch in March 2011.
The celebrations will see a Centenary Gala Dinner in Auckland on Saturday 18th September 2010 at The Langham Hotel.
A special website has been designed for the Centenary celebrations which will be held during the 2010-2011 'Summer of the Surf Lifeguard'. To check out the Centenary website,
click here.
In the media ...
19th April 2010
The following media stories appear on the SLSNZ website. To read more, click on the link ...
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Danger Beach:Muriwai on PRIME TV, weekly from 20th April ... read more
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NZ Team for Rescue 2010 announced ... read more
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European Surfrowing Champs in Holland, 28/29 August … read more
Rescue 2010 set for Alexandria, Egypt
19th April 2010
Rescue 2010, the Lifesaving World Championships will take place in the coastal city of Alexandria in Egypt.
Pool events will take place at the Olympic Swimming Pool of Alexandria and ocean events will be held at Mamoura Beach.
Over 3,000 athletes and more than 1,000 delegates, officials and team managers will be involved in the event which takes place from 2 – 17 October 2010. The Championships are a combination of three World Championships: National teams, Masters and Interclub teams.
To check out the Rescue 2010 website, click here.
Rescue 2010 will take place in Alexandria, Egypt in October.
Christchurch to host Nationals in 2011
3rd April 2010
The 2011 NZ Surf Life Saving Championships will take place at New Brighton Beach, Christchurch.
To be known as the Centenary Nationals, the event will mark 100 years since the establishment of surf lifesaving in New Zealand. Masters events will take place on Thursday 10th March and the Nationals will run from 11th-13th March 2011. New Brighton last hosted the event in 2004.
New Brighton Beach and its landmark pier in Christchurch.
Looking ahead 5 yrs
3rd April 2010
We take a diary look at some major events coming up during the next five years …
2010 Rescue 2010 : Lifesaving World Champs, Alexandria, Egypt, 2-17 October
2010 SLSNZ Centenary Celebrations (Sept 18 function)
2011 NZ Championships, Christchurch (Centenary event) 10-13 March, 2011, New Brighton
2011 Australian Championships, 5-10 April, Kurrawa
2011 Collaroy SLSC Centenary (sister club). Celebrations 28,29,30 October 2011.
2012 Rescue 2012 : Lifesaving World Champs, Adelaide
2013 Red Beach SLSC 60th Jubilee
2015 'The Gallipoli 100' surf boat event, April 2015. Anniversary of Gallipoli landing.
Red Beach teams share cup victory
9th March 2010
Red Beach’s JuniorSurf teams place first equal in Cath & Eddie Millar Cup competition
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
The annual
Cath & Eddie Millar Cup event delivered an astounding result with Red Beach’s Red and White teams dead-heating for first place.
Boisterous surf conditions and drifts at main Omaha Beach forced a switch to the southern end where the surf conditions were ideal.
Northern Region clubs fielded teams of 18 competitors each, comprising of six members from each of the A, B and C age groups. The events contested were beach sprints and relays, beach flags, surf teams races, board relays, board rescues and a Diamond relay.
“Who would have thought that we’d go one better than the first and second placings achieved by our teams last year,” said C group team manager Mark Readman with surprise.
It was the eighth consecutive time that Red Beach has won the trophy and the only occasion of a dead-heat since it was first contested in 1975.
Overall Points (based on age group placings): Red Beach Red & Red Beach White (6 pts ea) 1=, Orewa Blue & Mairangi Bay (9 pts ea) 3=, Muriwai Gold (18) 5, Piha Black & Piha Red (22 pts ea) 6=
Swell forecast
9th March 2010
If you’d like to know the sea swell forecast for the next 7 days around the New Zealand coastline, click here.
Join the 21 Club
24th December 2009
Are you a current surf club member with at least 21 years of continuous service to surf lifesaving? The 21 Club is accepting nominations now. To find out more, click here.
Flashbacks …
4th August 2009
Series 15 … photographs from yesteryear.
1963 Nationals: The legendary Reg Harker heads off Maranui's Brian Crowder to win the final of the open men's surf race at the NZ Championships held at Westshore Beach, Napier in 1963. Harker was aged 25 at the time. Brian Crowder passed away June 2009. Photo from the Westshore SLSC collection.
Flashbacks …
18th June 2009
Series 14 … photographs from yesteryear.
1985 Touring Team: In December 1985, Red Beach sent a team of 16 junior lifeguards – all aged 14-18 years – on a 12-day tour to Queensland.
Primarily an educational visit, the team members were able to check out lifeguarding operations and compete against their counterparts on the Gold Coast.
Training for the team began in April 1985 with regular sessions at Red Beach and pool swimming at Auckland’s Tepid Baths.
Fundraising got under way at the same time to raise the $25,000 required to fully finance the tour.
The team managers were Geoff Small and Ted Taylor. The team was coached by Chris Gurr, Lance Richards and Paul Kayes.
The touring party was hosted by the Southport Surf Life Saving Club and used the Southport Nippers surf headquarters as their base and for accommodation.
Flashbacks …
10th June 2009
Series 13 … photographs from yesteryear.
November 1980: Red Beach Surf Club's original clubrooms in a dilapidated state, two years before the building was demolished. The premises were opened in 1959 and served as the club's headquarters for 24 years.
Early-December 1982: The old surf clubrooms just before the demolition team moved in.
7th December 1982: Demolition of the building is well under way. It was put out to tender and went for $1,800. The new clubrooms, nearing completion, can be seen in the background.
December 1982: A week prior to Christmas, the old surf club was completely gone. At left is the old toilet block which has since been replaced by a more modern convenience. Landscaping along the beachfront took place in the years that followed.
The land occupied by the old surf club is now the Red Beach Waterfront Reserve on which the Owen Chapman carnival prize giving takes place each January.
The Gallipoli 100
18th May 2009
Surf boats will feature in the 100th anniversary of the famous landing on Gallipoli by the ANZAC’s.
To take place in April 2015, the Gallipoli 100 is a surf boat race involving 100 surf boats manned by Australian and New Zealand lifesavers. Surf boats are to be shipped to Turkey for the event which will feature 100 surf boat crews racing over a 100km distance with the location being the Dardanelles, Aegaen Sea and Gallipoli Peninsula. The crews will proceed to a beach near where the ANZAC’s landed 100 years before.
Back in 1915 there were many lifesavers and future lifesavers who fought at Gallipoli, however, a number of the pre-war lifesavers did not return home.
To check out the Gallipoli 100 website, click here.
Boats land at ANZAC Cove in April 1915.
Club’s first 50 years available on DVD
9th April 2009
A DVD on the Red Beach Surf Club’s first 50 years is available for purchase.
This is the presentation which won acclaim when shown at the club’s 50th Jubilee celebration banquet in May 2003. It’s a memorable combination of film and photos spanning 50 great years of club activities and competition.
The response from people wanting to purchase the DVD as a keepsake resulted in good sales, to the point that remaining stocks are low and there won’t be a production repeat.
The DVD is now back on sale, available for the low price of $15.00 plus packing & postage. To print out an order form, click here.
Flashbacks …
10th March 2009
Series 12 … photographs from yesteryear.
1992: Winning the NZ Championships for the second time. Red Beach club members on Oakura Beach, New Plymouth after winning the prestigious Allan Gardner Trophy for overall points at the championships.
Early 1900's: Red Beach, surrounded by farmland, at the turn of the century. The leaning pohutukawa tree in the centre of the picture has become a Red Beach landmark and thrives to this day.
Flashbacks …
24th February 2009
Series 11 … photographs from yesteryear.
1991: Winning the NZ Championships for the first time. Red Beach club members on the dais at Midway Beach, Gisborne after winning the prestigious Allan Gardner Trophy for overall points at the championships.
1975: Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival at Red Beach. The legendary Reg Harker (centre) with son Kim and daughter Carol, limbering up before the start of the events.
Flashbacks …
5th February 2009
Series 10 … photographs from yesteryear.
1959: The opening of the Red Beach clubrooms. The building served as the surf club’s headquarters for 24 years before being demolished in 1983 when the club’s existing clubrooms were opened. This building was situated on the land which is now the Red Beach Waterfront Reserve.
1989: The Red Beach Masters March Past team competing in the NZ Surf Life Saving Championships at Mt Maunganui.
Flashbacks …
20th January 2009
Series 9 … photographs from yesteryear.
1976 : Red Beach club member Andrew Olsen receives the Cath & Eddie Millar Cup from cup donor Eddie Millar following the club's overall points win in 1976. The trophy was first contested in 1975.
1991 : 1st World Masters Surf Life Saving Championships. Red Beach Surf Club hosted this inaugural event which drew a very large turnout of New Zealand and overseas competitors for three days of masters competition.
Held from 29 November to 1 December 1991, it was an outstanding event conducted in fine, warm weather. Red Beach fielded the second largest team of competitors, 43 in total.
The organising committee was made up entirely of Red Beach club members and drew high praise for the event which is still talked about to this day. One of the highlights was the erection of a viewing stand capable of seating 600 people which extended out over the water. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Red Beach landmark
20th January 2009
The big leaning pohutukawa on Red Beach is one tree which has to be measured by its length rather than by its height.
If it hadn’t been for a stiff south easterly one January day in 1918, the old tree would be much taller today.
A man who lived at Red Beach probably longer than anyone else, the late Mr Stan Bayes, remembered the day the tree went over.
He and his older brother, Arthur, had been down at the beach watching Auckland holiday makers working on their boats. They left the beach just five minutes before the tree went over.
The Bayes family owned a farmhouse, which is still standing, and tended most of the land which is now in the Red Beach suburb.
When the boys returned to the beach from the house they were amazed to see the tree nearly on its side. The pohutukawa was then nearly 30 years old and it did not occur to anyone that it should be removed. Just as well.
Gradually over the years the tree, still bound by its roots to the bank, appeared to right itself by continuing to grow upward.
Stan Bayes regarded the tree as a great landmark and a really important part of the beachfront scene. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Flashbacks …
6th January 2009
Series 8 … photographs from yesteryear.
1988: Heron surf boat launch. The very first surf boat provided by Bryan Heron to the Red Beach Surf Club was given a champagne launch at Red Beach in October 1988. It was part of a sponsorship package from B H Heron Plumbing which included a new double ski, sponsored shirts and other club gear.
1988: 6-Man team. Red Beach's 6-Man Rescue & Resuscitation drill team competing in a surf carnival at North Piha on Auckland's west coast in December 1988.
1914: Red Beach, surrounded by farmland, in a photo believed to have been taken around 1914.
Flashbacks …
29th December 2008
Series 7 … photographs from yesteryear.
1975: The launch of Red Beach Surf Club’s new surf canoe “Big Rooster” by Robert Muldoon, seated in the canoe, just days after he was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand in November 1975.
1957: Owen Chapman, the donor of the cup to foster surf lifesaving competition amongst the four Auckland east coast clubs of Red Beach, Orewa, Mairangi Bay and Eastern United who patrolled at Browns Bay.
The inaugural event was held in early-January 1957 to entertain the campers and holiday-makers from Pinewoods Motor Park. The Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival now spans more than 50 years.
To read the history of the Owen Chapman Cup, click here.
Late 1950’s: The 4-Man Alarm drill event being contested by a Red Beach team at an Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival. The spectators were holiday-makers from Pinewoods Motor Park and the surrounding areas.
Flashbacks …
22nd December 2008
Series 6 … photographs from yesteryear.
1958: NZ Championships, Christchurch. The fledgling Red Beach club, just five years old, was competing at the National Championships for the very first time. The venue was South Brighton and the club was there to compete in a number of events including the 6-Man Rescue & Resuscitation drill event.
The sea conditions were turbulent and most event finals were cancelled. However, the 6-Man R & R final went ahead and Reg Harker, an outstanding surf swimmer, drew the marble to swim as the beltman. There was a massive rip running and it was very cold. Harker reached his buoy long before any of the other beltmen; two of the finalists did not make it to the buoys.
The time difference gave the Red Beach team a distinct advantage when converted into points. When all drill points were calculated, Red Beach emerged as the winner of surf lifesaving's blue riband event to take out the coveted Nelson Shield.
1958: NZ Championships, Christchurch. Red Beach's Reg Harker (right) has just completed a remarkable swim through turbulent seas to reach the marker buoys in the final of the 6-Man R & R event. He prepares to step out of his belt and hand it to reelman Graham Wolf.
1958: Red Beach's first New Zealand title. Winners of the Nelson Shield for the Senior 6-Man Rescue & Resuscitation event at South Brighton, Christchurch.
Back row, from left: Graham Wolf, Ross Warman, Doug Ellis, Roy Woodall. Front row, from left: Allan Anderson, Toby Mitchell (Club President), George Perry (Coach), Reg Harker (Captain).
Footnote - The 6-Man R&R event has ceased to be a competition event in surf lifesaving. It's final appearance was at the NZ Championships in 2001.
Flashbacks …
1st December 2008
Series 5 … photographs from yesteryear.
1966: Club competitors from the 1965-66 season. Two of the group are current Life Members of Red Beach.
1976: Club members at Red Beach prior to a Paddlenduro fundraising stint which raised $5,000 towards the new surf clubrooms.
The surf canoe sponsors at the time were Big Rooster, Jerry Clayton Motors, Orewa Trust and Chrysler Outboards. During the mid-seventies, Red Beach was the dominant club in surf canoe racing with five open men's canoe crews.
1976: Millar Cup Winners. Red Beach Nipper members after winning the Cath & Eddie Millar cup in March 1976. Cherie Dillon, kneeling second from right, was one of the members.
Flashbacks …
18th November 2008
Series 4 … photographs from yesteryear.
1974 : The first female lifeguards. Although the Red Beach Surf Club was founded in 1953, female lifeguards were not part of the club until they were officially accepted as members in 1974.
Pictured above, six of the eight female members who obtained their Surf Medallions in 1974 to become fully qualified lifeguards with Red Beach. From left: Mandy Glover, Carolyn Hogan, Sally Glover, Ruth Mannall, Carol Harker, Carol-anne Clarke.
1950's: Owen Chapman Carnival. The Red Beach 6-Man Rescue & Resuscitation team being judged during an Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival at Red Beach during the late 1950's.
1972: Surf boat launch. The club's new surf boat "Schweppesmanship" being given a lemonade launch by the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Dove-Meyer Robinson, at a ceremony held at Westhaven on 14.11.72.
The crew, from left: Terry Marsh, Colin Brady, Paul Ranby, Jack Young, Paul Von Zalinski.
30 years of support
4th November 2008
The Pub to Club surf boat challenge coincided with 30 years of support for the Red Beach Surf Club by Bryan Heron (above). The club presented him with an enlargement of the photograph taken in 1978 when he donated two rescue skis, thus beginning a remarkable era of sponsorship. The above photograph, printed on canvas, was taken in the same spot as the original presentation.
Flashbacks …
4th November 2008
Series 3 … photographs from yesteryear.
1973: The first Nipper members. At the start of the 1973/74 season, the Red Beach club introduced Nipper members to its ranks. Initially there were 20 boys aged from seven - 13 years with Gary Faircloth as their instructor.
At the time, the Red Beach Surf Club was an all-male domain. Female lifeguards were not part of the surf club until they were officially accepted as members by way of a change to the club’s constitution at the AGM in July 1974. The Nipper division was re-named the JuniorSurf division in later years.
1981: The demise of a surf boat. Red Beach's surf boat "Blue Bonnet" met with a tragic ending while being rowed at the Auckland Championships at Piha on Auckland's west coast. While charging down the face of a 5m wave and full of water, the boat decided it wanted to be a submarine and kept going until it met the sandy seabed.
The 'Auckland Star' evening newspaper ran the story and it was picked up by the Metropolitan Life Assurance Company who went on to donate a new surf boat to the Red Beach club. It was appropriately named "Metropolitan Life" and its launch coincided with the announcement of a $150,000 sponsorship of the Metropolitan Life Youth Programme. The sponsorship was to support the country's nine surf lifesaving districts with recruitment and training for Nippers.
Flashbacks …
28th October 2008
Series 2 … photographs from yesteryear.
1950’s Red Beach: The beachscape featured on a colour postcard.
1978: The start of the B H Heron sponsorship. Bryan Heron, standing at left, made a presentation of two rescue skis to Red Beach club captain John Glover while surrounded by some of the club’s Nipper members. Thus began a remarkable era of Heron sponsorship which flourishes to this day.
1972: Cyclone fury at Red Beach. In the aftermath of Cyclone Carlotta which struck the country in January 1972, waves pounded the Red Beach foreshore, forcing the lifeguard patrol to close the beach for the period of the high tide. Onlookers stood on the beachfront, watching the surging surf in awe.
The result of Cyclone Carlotta was a huge surf which formed 300m beyond the reef at Red Beach. The club’s surf boat crew launched “Miss Rothmans” and rowed out past the breakers. Rather than risk being smashed against the rocks while returning to the beach, the crew put into Stanmore Bay where the surf was much more subdued.
Flashbacks …
14th October 2008
We bring you our new pictorial series featuring photographs from yesteryear.
Series 1 … black & white pics from the archives.
1959: The opening of the Red Beach clubrooms. The building served as the surf club’s headquarters for 24 years before being demolished in 1983 when the club’s existing clubrooms were opened. This building was situated on the land which is now the Red Beach Waterfront Reserve.
1965: The legendary Reg Harker after winning the NZ Belt Race title for the first time. On the same weekend in Christchurch he also won the NZ Surf Race title to achieve the 'double', the most popular success among all lifeguards at the championships. He went on to claim the Belt Race title on four consecutive occasions and he won the Surf Race title four times.
Harker became known as the ‘iron man’ of surf lifesaving in New Zealand during the 1960’s because of his outstanding abilities in competition. He was made a Life Member of the Red Beach club in 1967 and currently lives with his wife Faye in Christchurch.
Red Beach, Peru
3rd September 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
Peru, the third largest country in South America, is located on the continent’s west coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Paracas is a small fishing village 250km south of the capital of Lima, or three hours by road. It’s at the entrance to the Paracas National Reserve, one of the world’s most valuable and impressive coastal habitats. It’s where the desert and the sea come together in spectacular landscapes.
Red Beach is located on an astonishingly beautiful stretch of coast, surrounded by rugged cliffs, a desert and a lot of sand which make up the National Reserve. It is also known as La Playa Roja (the red beach) with the colour of the sand coming from the granite cliffs. The scenery is beautiful and it was in this rich area that ancient civilizations once flourished.
Paracas is a natural wildlife sanctuary and aquatic life flourishes on the coast. The winds, the sea temperature and other weather factors have created a habitat for more than 200 bird species along with marine life including sea lions, penguins, red and white flamingos and the visiting huge Andean Condor.
Paracas National Reserve also has huge sea lion colonies. Scores of sea lions can be seen lazily basking in the sun while condors and giant sea turtles ease their way through the water. Offshore are islands with a wide range of bird species including penguins, cormoranes, gulls, puffins and many others.
Red Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia
4th July 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
Among the thousands of small islands of Indonesia is one called Komodo, a mountainous stretch of volcanic rock covered with grass, palms and small pockets of jungle. The island, at 35km long, is part of Komodo National Park, 200 nautical miles to the east of Bali. The park is a World Heritage site and encompasses a number of islands, the largest of which are Komodo, Rinca and Padar. The region has around 4,000 inhabitants.
Red Beach, located on the eastern side of Komodo Island, is an exotic white sandy beach tinted pink by fragments of red coral. This popular anchorage is known for its beautiful underwater scenery which ranks it amongst the best in the world for snorkeling which is excellent over a healthy shallow reef. Diving is at the reef edge where the bottom drops down to 25 metres. Above the water, many wood carving and pearl jewellery entrepreneurs ply their wares by boat.
In the sea, the vibrant colours and exotic life enchant divers and snorkelers alike as endless schools of fish ride the waterways rushing up from deep sea vents. Below them the seabed is covered with a thick carpet of fluorescent corals and marine invertebrates - an underwater photographer’s paradise. The island, along with a few others nearby, is the sole habitat of the world’s largest lizard, known as the Komodo Island monitor or more popularly, the Komodo dragon. Red Beach is located just in front of the old dragon feeding station, directly across the bay from Komodo Village.
Komodo dragons can reach 3 metres in length and weigh up to 100kg. They are the top predators in their habitat and feed on wild boar, deer, water buffalo, dogs, goats, rats, snakes, smaller dragons, and once in a while – humans.
They hunt by ambush, hiding in the scrub brush along trails. Despite their lumbering appearance, they can move with alarming speed when they want to. They can’t sustain a long chase, but all they need to subdue their prey is one bite. The Komodo dragons carry poisonous bacteria in their mouths so if they don’t immediately catch their prey, the attack is often fatal. Using their long forked tongues, they track the scent of their prey as the wounded animal slowly weakens from the infected bite, a process that can take several days.
The Komodo dragon is an endangered species and there are approximately 6,000 in existence.
Olympians from Red Beach club ranks
15th May 2008
It’s a little known fact that there are eight Red Beach surf club members, past and present, who have competed at the Olympic Games.
All have represented New Zealand in kayaking, while Steven Ferguson has also represented his country in swimming. Ferguson, along with older brother Alan, was a member of the club’s JuniorSurf division for three seasons in the early-nineties.
Those to have worn the Silver Fern are:
Don Cooper & John Leonard (both in 1976), Ian Ferguson (1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992), Edwin Richards (1984), Stephen Richards & John MacDonald (1988, 1992), Mark Scheib (1992), Steven Ferguson (swimming 2000, kayaking 2004, 2008).
The Red Beach club has now produced its very first female Olympian in Erin Taylor.
Red Beach, Crete
16th April 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
With its cobalt blue waters, sun-bleached cottages, ancient ruins and red sandstone cliffs, Crete's Red Beach is picturesque to say the least. It’s a famed 'clothing optional' beach located near Matala in the south of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands which lies approximately 160km south of the Greek mainland.
Made famous in 1968 when hippies from across Europe flocked to its shores, the resort at Red Beach has remained a favorite for its rustic charm and its tolerance.
Beautiful yet secluded, it can be reached only by water or on foot which involves a steep climb followed by a steep descent, in about half an hour from the village of Matala.
Red Beach takes its name from the ochre colour of the sand. While it doesn’t necessarily exude the same stunning red colors of Red Beach Santorini, it is indeed picturesque in its own right, set against golden hills and cliffs which provide a setting for some sparce, green vegetation.
Most often during the busier summer months, you can rent shade umbrellas and beach lounging chairs, but at times there are no rentals and it’s just you, your towel and whatever else you bring.
Matala View, on the hill above Red Beach, looking towards Matala Village. The ascent is steep but the view is worth the trouble and the effort. The tricky hike down to Red Beach affords some sweeping sights of the beach and the water, set against the coast’s cliffs.
At the north side of the beach the rocks are carved into ancient Minoan and Egyptian shapes, carried out a number of years ago by a Belgian man by the name of Gerard.
Red Beach Crete is primarily known for its affiliation as a 'clothing optional' beach. Predominantly, this section of the beach is kept at the northern side, however there is no strict rule against straying from this section without covering yourself.
But, do not think that you have to strip to enjoy Red Beach Crete as there is ample tolerance for all.
Red Beach, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
3rd March 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues …
Red Beach, also known as Playa Caracas or Playa del Corcho is one of the best-loved beaches on the small lush island of Vieques, 6 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico. The beach is a long stretch of powdery white sand, leading into the crystal-clear Caribbean water that turns shades of turquoise and green as it gets deeper.
Vieques Island was once the site of a large US Navy base. It found its freedom in 2003 when the Navy pulled out, creating conservation land where the bases once stood, and the island is just beginning to get its ‘tourism legs’.
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States and the Navy used Red Beach for recreation before they left, whiling away the time on this stunning beach with soft sand and even softer water.
Snorkeling here is excellent. You won’t get the variety of colours that a coral reef or rocky pier would afford but you will see stingrays, schools of smaller fish and possibly even a dolphin if you go out far enough.
The beach is framed by gently rolling green hills in the near distance. A number of small uninhabited islands and outcroppings can be seen not too far offshore. But while you’re on the beach you can pamper your feet on the soft white sand, get the perfect tan and enjoy life the Caribbean way.
Red Beach, Rio
6th February 2008
Our pictorial beach series continues ...
Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) wins over the tourists with its exotic, luxuriant and strange glamour. Surrounded by coconut and bamboo trees, this place is just another charming oasis of peace and calm in Rio de Janeiro, blessed with cacti, orchids, bromeliads and grassy bushes.
Praia Vermelha, known for its steeply sloping sands, is well sheltered at the foot of the Urca hill. It is found in a predominantly residential neighbourhood with an intimate small-town atmosphere. Boating is popular here.
The beach offers a stunning view of the Sugar Loaf mountain, named for its shape, which rises 396m above sea level. It offers a breathtaking panorama of Rio’s majestic beauty, with built-up areas nestled between magnificent bays and dazzling beaches on one side and abruptly rising mountains from the water, on the other side, in Guanabara Bay.
Red Beach, Greece
24th January 2008
Our new pictorial beach series on Red Beach locations around the world …
Red Beach, found on the Greek island of Santorini, is a mesmerizing stretch of red sand that is set against a stunning backdrop of scaling red cliffs. As if Santorini weren’t beautiful enough, with its volcanic landscape and picturesque caldera, Red Beach adds the extra touch that helps to make the island one of the most desired tourist destinations in the Aegean Sea.
The crystal-clear blue waters contrast the stunning red-coloured sands, all set against a prolific cliff background.
Located on the southern coast of Santorini in the area named Akrotiri, Red Beach is truly majestic and you would be hard-pressed to find a beach anywhere in the world that mixes such a color scheme. Often busy during the peak summer months, beachgoers to Red Beach Santorini may find it a bit crowded, especially due to the fact that the close proximity of the cliffs to the water leaves a fairly thin strip of beach.
Some who visit Red Beach Santorini merely park the car and stand atop the cliffs for a view down, but it is worth it to make the trek down to get the full experience. The beach can also be accessed by boat from the port of Akrotiri and the port at Fira. The sun can be very strong here, and the sand is not the most comfortable to sit on, thus many choose to bask under shade umbrellas and beach lounging chairs. Nearby there are taverns and eateries offering meals and snacks.
Club’s first 50 years available on DVD
13th August 2007
A DVD on the Red Beach Surf Club’s first 50 years is available for purchase.
This is the presentation which won acclaim when shown at the club’s 50th Jubilee celebration banquet in May 2003. It’s a memorable combination of film and photos spanning 50 great years of club activities and competition.
The response from people wanting to purchase the DVD as a keepsake resulted in good sales, to the point that remaining stocks are low and there won’t be a production repeat.
The DVD is now back on sale, available for the low price of $15.00 plus packing & postage. To print out an order form, click here.
