INTEREST LACKING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 100, 17 July 1946, Page 5

INTEREST LACKING

SURF AND LIFE 7 SAVING CLUB ' QUESTION OF REVIVAL The fact that the meeting which was called last Thursday evening for the purpose of reforming the Whakatane Surf and Life-Saving Club, claimed the attendance of but six interested persons, only one of whom was a possible active team member, shows that the interest necessary to place the club on its feet once again, is at present, lacking. / But there are definite reasons for

this, and the position may be expected to improve later in the year, when it is proposed to call another meeting. Perhaps first among'these -reasons is the fact that surf and life-saving are summer'-activities, and at the present time, winter -sports are claiming the undivided attention of the younger fraternity •of the town. Again there is the competition afforded by the number of •other youth, and sport organisations which have come *, into being, and which make their .'claims on the time available to young men and women. In a town the size of Whakatane, conditions vastly different to those obtaining in the. centres,: exist. Here, the various bodies, almost without exception* draw their membership from the same sources, and interest which must perforce spread itself to such a degree as to cover the activities of even, a .quarter of the organisations seeking members, cannot be sustained to the fullest. But that does not mean that there is no room for a Surf and Life-Sav-ing Club in Whakatane. Such a body is, in fact, a necessity, particularly Aow that the tourist traffic to Ohope over the holiday season is well on '•the up-grade; and with the advent of summer, and renewed interest in | swimming and summer sports, it can be fairly safely said that the club, if it can be reformed, will meet with a ready and enthusiastic response, Few organisations can present as -much as the Surf Club in the way •of equipment at the commencement of operations. Not only is there a headquarters ready and waiting at ■Ohope, but also these are reels and lines. Donations have been offered, one consisting of a sum of £lO, the other of sufficient-timber to reconstruct the floor in_ the building at Ohope. Every inducement,. in fact that can be held out, is ready and waiting, and public support, such as few organisations can boast, is behind the movement. ' :

1 A Second effort to reform the club W *U' e^nia<^e October, when another general meeting will be called. Although much valuable training time throughout- the winter ■months will have been lost, the club will at least be able to. make a start. In our opinion, we see no. reason -why the Swimming Club, recently formed, and the Surf Club should not combine into a strong and useful organisation. Both are interested in the same line of activity, and will be running almost parallel courses •during the swimming season. In any case, Whether the bodies combine or not, it can be well assured that those members of the Swimming Club who are capable, will gladly offer their proficiency in the water to an organisation which can direct their services towards a necessary and humanitarian end. V