SURF LIFE-SAVING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 1, 3 January 1939, Page 4

SURF LIFE-SAVING

PARAPARAUMU CUP

WELLINGTON CLUBS COMPETE

' What is stated by residents to be the biggest crowd ever" seen on Paraparaumu Beach was present there on Sunday, when teams from various parts of the Wellington Surf Association's district took part in a surf life-saving carnival. - The carnival was originally organised by the Wellington Association as a combined demonstration in aid of the newly-formed Paraparaumu Suitf and Life-saving Club. The. competitive aspect was introduced when Mr. W. Bacon presented a handsome cup, to be awarded to the club winning the greatest number of events on a programme which included land as well a£ water contests. The large crowd attested to the popularity of the surf movement, and of the newly-formed club. The day chosen was not a good one from the point 6f view of several of the clubs, whose best members were on holiday; Maranui were particularly unfortunate, having only one member of its A team present, and Lyall Bay was not up to full strength. Teams Were entered from the Lyall Bay, Maranui, Island Bay, Worser Bay, Paekakariki, and Paraparaumu Clubs, Brilliant sunshine in the afternoon brought hundreds of cars to the beach, and the congestion on the beach roads was serious till late in the evening. Both sides of the. narrow roads leading to the beach were lined with cars, leaving barely room for one car to move. The beach presented a brilliant spectacle, crowded with people for a length of upwards of a mile. Cars also found their way on to the beach, part of which should make an ideal parking ground, if properly supervised. The 'competition, which - included a beach sprint, a beach relay, a six-man rescueand resuscitation event, a teams surf race, a beach belt race, a marchpast, and several othei * events, resulted in a win for Lyall Bay, with Maranui and Paekakariki, equal, second. Lyall Bay won the six-man event, gained first and second places in the surf race and the beach belt race, and second place in the march-past. Maranui were first in the relay race and the march past, and second in the six-man j event and the beach sprint. Paekaka- j riki were first in the beach sprint and second and third in several /other events. ! The six-man event, which was carried out binder the Australian rules. was very interesting, and proved a close contest. Time .points were eliminated, as no buoys had been placed. Lyall Bay obtained a lead of two points. | and held it. In the surf race, a long] swim resulted in a win for the veteran j New Zealand representative, R. Pelham, who was closely followed by.his club-mate, N. Stokes. J. Hatchwell was third, and his brother, R. Hatchwell, filled the fourth place. Theie were about thirty starters. ".'■,'"■"•..> At th£ conclusbion of the contest, the cup was presented by Mr. W. Bacon. Mi*. J. Williams,' sen., replied on behalf of the Lyall Bay Club. Proceedings were brightened by a burlesque display by Mr: S. Toogood and a vividly-garbed "team", assisted by a mechanism which resembled .a fire engine. On the previous day the club had its first call, to rescue the occupants of a small yacht which capsized off Raumati Beach; A car was commandeered, and the patrol was on the beach, withline and reel, within a few minutes. It was not required, however, as a rowing, boat .frem Raumati picked up the crew of the yacht.