Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1986, is a prominent surf lifesaving club located in Southbourne, New Zealand. Initially known as Southbourne Surf, the club has experienced consistent growth over the years and currently boasts a membership of over 130 individuals, ranging in age from 7 to 65+.
The club's modern and spacious clubhouse was opened in 2016, conveniently situated at the bottom of St Catherines path on the promenade near Sobo Beach. Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club prides itself on working closely with renowned organisations such as RNLI Lifeguards and the Coastguard (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) to ensure the safety of the local community. They achieve this through coastal surveillance and the use of their Inshore Rescue Boat, rescue boards, and surf skis.
In addition to their commitment to the community's safety, the club actively supports various local events by providing comprehensive safety cover both in and out of the sea. Some of the notable events they have assisted with include the Brownsea Island swim, the Seahorse Swim, seafront marathons and triathlons, the Bournemouth Air Festival, and the Macmillan Caring Locally annual Christmas Dip.
Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club is affiliated with Surf Life Saving GB (SLSGB), serving as their governing body. As a registered charity, the club relies solely on membership fees, donations, and grants for funding. These financial resources are primarily allocated toward the purchase and upgrade of rescue and training equipment, as well as first aid kits.
To acknowledge their immense dedication and contributions to the club, Gwyn Scott, Lindsey Scott, Philip Younger (also known as “Sponge”), and the late Bill Ezekiel MBE have been awarded life membership. Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental in the continued success and existence of Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club.
The club welcomes donations, which can be made directly to the club, through the purchase of BH Coastal Lottery tickets, or by sponsorship from businesses or individuals organising sponsored events. They also offer donation boxes for businesses, schools, and other organisations to display on their premises.
Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club prioritises the welfare and safety of its members, embodying this through various policies outlined in their Club Bye Laws. Some of these policies include Discipline and Appeals Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Health, Safety, and Welfare Policy Statement, Codes of Conduct, Social Media Policy, Club Equality Policy, and Club Anti-Bullying Policy. They also adhere to SLSGB's Safeguarding arrangements and policy.
For individuals interested in training, the club offers sessions focused primarily on surf lifesaving. During the summer, training takes place at the clubhouse on Southbourne beach, while winter training shifts indoors to the Bournemouth Collegiate School pool. Summer training is centred around lifesaving awards and qualifications, including first aid and CPR, as well as beach and sea training. This equips members with the necessary skills to utilise rescue boards, surf skis, and inshore rescue boats for the community's safety.
Winter training aims to maintain fitness levels and enhance surf lifesaving skills, focusing on swimming techniques and stamina-building.
Through their dedication and commitment to coastal surveillance and lifesaving training, Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club continues to protect and educate their local community, making it a safe and enjoyable environment for all beachgoers.