Lifejackets boost for Whanganui lifeguards

SPARK TO HELP: Shane Nottage of Spark hands over 12 lifejackets to former WHS student, lifeguard Vincent Nowak, watched by (from left) Glen Collins, Mia Gemmel, Shannon Schimanski, WHS students Alex Forlong and Kaya Dobbie and former WHS students Clarissa Nowak, Samantha Miller and Sarah McDonald (all Whanganui Surf Lifesaving members).

Lifesavers are asking for help to keep Kiwis safe in the water this summer, and last Thursday marked the first day of the annual Surf Life Saving appeal.

This year Spark NZ is helping, donating 12 new lifejackets to Whanganui Surf Lifesaving.

Over the past 10 years, lifeguards have spent over two million hours on patrol, saving more than 13,700 lives.

Surf Life Saving NZ chief executive Paul Dalton said the summer appeal was an important time for the essential rescue service.

"Not only does [it] allow us to celebrate the remarkable work of our lifeguards but it's [also] a chance to raise awareness about lifesaving services in general and raise much-needed funds to support the 4500 volunteer lifeguards who will be on duty this summer."

Mr Dalton said while lifeguards were proud of the number of lives they had saved, they were most proud of the safety record between the flags.

"We may sound like a broken record but when the flags are up, that means lifeguards are on patrol and this is the safest place to swim when you're enjoying the beach.

"Last season, lifeguards saved 1517 people from life-threatening situations and they're expecting another huge summer and an especially busy Christmas holiday period."

By Staff Reporter
Wanganui Chronicle 5/12/16.