North Canterbury News: January 25, 2024

Milestone nears for surf club
By JOHN COSGROVE
Waikuku Beach Surf Life Saving Club
coped well with large crowds over the
holiday period.
The hot fine weather made the North
Canterbury beach apopular destination
for many during the holiday season.
Club patrol captain Keeley Woolman­
Smith says the numbers were higher than
expected.
‘‘There were lots of people each day,
and other than reminding people to stay
swimming within the flags and helping
others practise good water safety skills,
the only real problem we hadwas with
the Blue Bottle jellyfish.’’
Fellow patrol captain Rusty MacKay
says many of the stings they treated were
on small children, playing on the waters
edge.
‘‘Overall it was avery safe season so
far, and the strong nor­west winds we
were expecting didn’t happen which
meant the surf was abit smaller, making
it very safe for swimmers to play in.’’
Those long hot days watching over
swimmers, the dramas of surf patrols, the
training, the social life and the
camaraderie will all be recalled when
the club holds its 50th anniversary on
Friday, February 2, until Sunday,
February 4.
The club was formed early in 1975 after
batch owners decided they needed alife
saving patrol.
Club life member Gary Connor recalls
all they had for shelter was an old shed,
and an old tatty sofa to rest on during
those early days when he joined the club
46 years ago.
Gary says his interest in the club
started after he was invited along by one
of his swimming coaches.
‘‘I came from acompetitive swimming
background like most of those early
members.
Great memories ... Club life member Gary
Connor with aphoto of himself taken many
years ago at the Waikuku Beach Surf Life
Saving Club.
PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
‘‘We were members of the Rangiora
Swimming Club which has had astrong
record in New Zealand’s competitive
swimming history.
‘‘ Iliked the challenges it posed and the
strong family values the club had.’’
He says everyone took part, did
something to help either as atrained
lifeguard or as ahelper.
Many sons and daughters, and their
parents, trained and received their
certificates as they conducted the patrols
over the summer.
‘‘We had alot of fun times building the
club’s facilities, patrolling and
socialising.’’
He says they also received alot of
support from Rangiora and North
Canterbury businesses, Lions and Rotary
clubs, which all got behind the project.
The club is the only active surf life
saving club north of the Waimakariri
River until Blenheim.
Gary says today many of the younger
members are the third generation of
those who started it all 50 years ago.
One of the strongest incentives for
young people to join the club is the social
development it offers, he says.
‘‘You cannot underestimate the
positive social development Ihave seen
in many young people over the years.
Some needed to discover they were
responsible for helping others and have
excelled in it.
‘‘I have seen many ‘lost’ children join
us and grow into very productive and
focused young people. They have learned
to work to agoal, and many have gone on
to join the services and do well in them.
Over the years Gary says he couldn’t
put afigure on the number of people he
has rescued from the surf.
‘‘It’s more about the preventive
measures we take to intervene before an
event happens.
‘‘Trained lifeguards know what to look
for when they see someone starting to get
into trouble, so that’s when they
intervene.’’
Gary says pride has alot to do with it as
people don’t want to be seen to ask for
help.
‘‘But when you go up to them they are
always glad of ahand to help them out of
adeveloping situation.’’
Club chairman Duncan Campbell says
they will be hosting ameet and greet on
Friday night (February 2), adinner on
Saturday night, and on Sunday they will
be running an Oldies lifeguard patrol.
Life Members, former members and
the chairs from local clubs have been
invited to the celebrations.
15
Good Street
vibrancy
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, January 25, 2024
By SHELLEY TOPP
Outdoor lunchtime concerts are apopular
attraction in Rangiora this summer.
The free concerts run until March,
weather permitting.
They are part of the Waimakariri District
Council’s Good Street Beats programme to
showcase the street's new outdoor
entertainment area and help bring
vibrancy to Rangiora’s central business
district.
The concerts are being held on
Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to
1pm, and feature arange of artists and
musical genres.
Last Thursday's concert, which was
postponed until Friday after arainy start to
the scheduled performance day, featured
council colleagues Mike Kwant and Bex
Dollery, who both share alove of music.
The pair performed awide range of
popular songs, including Michael Jackson’s
Billie Jean.
Last Saturday's concert featured a
Caribbean­born multi­instrumentalist
Manu Francois and this week The
Lumberjack/Brent Roberts was scheduled
to perform today (Thursday) with The
Relics booked for this Saturday.
People attending the Good Street Beats
performances are advised to take acushion
or something to sit on as seating is limited.
The council’s business and centre
adviser, Vanessa Thompson, says the venue
is free to hire, and power for performers is
also free.
Bookings must be made through council
staff and can be made at the reception area
in the council’s Rangiora Service Centre.
The hope is evening concerts will also be
held.
For more information go to waimakariri.
govt.nz/community­and­recreation/goodstreet­beats.
HOT
PRICE
50%off
HOT
SAVE
PRICE
$110
2024’s not the only thing
that’s shinyand new.
Chiropractic HD,HDX and
SanctuaryBeds #
(ExcludesHDUltra andLimited Edition)
Save on Altus
Whiteware.
†
Bosch Series 4|8kg Front
Load Washing Machine
60000476 /WAN24124AU
$1099
35%
OFF #
Save $1600
HOT
PRICE
DimplexHeat +Cool Air
Circulator Pedestal Fan
-WhiteFinish
9076448
$319
$1099
$429
was
Altus combines durability,functionality,and
intuitivedesign to bring youappliances that
makeyour life easier.
Perla 5Seater Fabric
Lounge Suite-Grey
9068729
$2899
was
$4499
Ninja Foodi Dual
Zone Air Fryer
9065131
$279
Smiths City Colombo St
550 Colombo Street,Christchurch
Smiths City Northwood
1Radcliffe Rd,Christchurch
Smiths City Hornby
6TowerStreet,Christchurch
Appliances,Furniture,
Beds TVs, Audio &more.
Offers valid dates vary.Available whilestock lasts. See individual product pages online fordetails. Terms, conditions,exclusions,and limits apply.Some products on display in selected stores only.Please call 0800 764847
to check availability.Personal shoppers only,trade and commercial not supplied. #Discount is offour full retail price.Not available in conjunction with anyother offer. †Altus 3Year Manufacturer’s Warranty termsand
conditions apply. Extend your standard2year warranty to 3yearsfor free via online registration within 90 daysofpurchase.Ask in-storefor details.