Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 5, 9 December 1947, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the. right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters. MORE LIFE-SAVERS WANTED (To the Editor) Sir, —Through the columns of your paper I wish to put forward a plea for support for the Whakatane Surf and Life Saving Club. No Life Saving Club can function without active members and financial support, an this is a plea mainly for active members. The finances of the club are in a fairly healthy condition, but reconditioning of the clubhouse and the reels etc. will ’be fairly expensive. All swimmers should have a knowledge of rescue and resuscitation methods, so that .they will be able to act in any emergency in a case of drowning. Members of the Life Saving Club receive this instruction, as well as instruction in surf reel work, and are required to pass tests of proficiency. The instructors are highly qualified men capable of' imparting their knowledge to beginners. This drill and instruction means some work, but every member is amply repaid for the time spent. When teams are capable, there are visits to other centres for competitions.

Surfing is perhaps the healthiest sport in the world, and when a surfer or swimmer has "the added ability to carry out rescues —either individually or as part of a reel team, the interest in the sport is enhanced. Members have full use of the clubhouse and all material—surf boards, surf skis, etc. Members should be course, be able to swim, but if ..poor or average swimmers, can improve with practice.

There is not one disadvantage in 'being a member of. a Life Saving Club, but the advantages are many. All younger people.—and those not so young—should join ,up. Anyone interested should contact the secretary, Mr A. C. Aitken of the Native Department, Mr G. Stenhouse of Mac Lean Motors or the undersigned. Everyone will be welcomed, and those who are not known to present members should not let that deter them, as they will find a very friendly informal and happy group of young men and women as clubmates. With an enlarged membership both the club and the pub-* lie using the beach will benefit. It must be remembered that the public expect to keep the beach safe for bathers, but without active members this cannot be done. There is’ to be a practice -at Ohope next Sunday at approximately .2.15 p.m. Come along and see what can be done after. only a few nights practice and instruction. There will be no need to crowd together—plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Come along, join up and enjoy yourself all the summer. ' Yours etc., A. R. KNIGHTS, President W.S.L.S.C.