Raglan surf lifesaving ready for a busy summer thanks to Fonterra Grass Roots Fund
The Raglan surf lifesaving club is set to keep even more people safe this summer thanks to a grant from the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund.
The club used the money to purchase 12 new helmets for its members, six of which are designed to be worn by patrol teams while driving vehicles on the beach and the other six which are specially designed to be worn in the water and will be used by lifeguards when they go out on the boats.
Club Administrator John Thomas says the helmets will soon become a compulsory requirement from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and the club is pleased to be able to purchase them before the regulations change.
“Raglan beach is a real tourist mecca over summertime and a lot of the people who visit aren’t used to the tides and rips and can get trouble if they are not careful. These new helmets will help keep our lifeguards safe and make the rescues safer.”
The club has around 60 lifeguards who patrol the beaches from Labour weekend until Easter. Patrol hours increase during the busy Christmas summer period.
Grass Roots Fund manager Kane Silcock says the funding is a way to give back to the people of New Zealand and help out those who help our communities.
“It’s about giving back to those groups and organisations who enrich people’s lives and make communities safer and more enjoyable places to be.”