Paddle Power: NZCT Gives St Clair Surf Life Saving Club a Boost

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded Dunedin’s St Clair Surf Life Saving Club a grant of $9,990 for the purchase of new surf skis, helping the club enhance training, competition performance, and lifesaving readiness, keeping St Clair Beach safe.

General Manager Brent Wolf says, “Surf Lifesaving New Zealand recently changed surf ski specifications, and our old skis no longer meet the new racing criteria. These skis are essential for both training and competition. Having the right equipment helps us retain members who also volunteer as lifeguards, ensuring we maintain strong lifesaving capability and competitive performance.”

With more than 300 members - including 70 active lifeguards - who patrol St Clair Beach year-round, the upgraded equipment will allow the club to better serve the hundreds of swimmers, surfers, and beachgoers who use the beach each week.

16-year-old lifeguard Toby Hill says, “This support will make a significant difference to our training by allowing us to practice with safe, modern, and competition-standard gear, helping us improve our performance and prepare to compete on an even footing at national competitions. Just as importantly, the new equipment will strengthen our lifesaving training, allowing members to further develop vital rescue, fitness, and teamwork skills that directly contribute to keeping our community safer.”

Coach Alex Margeson adds, “While lifesaving is the primary objective for becoming a lifeguard, the ability to compete and see who the best lifeguards are is a crucial aspect of keeping people active within the club, and in attracting new members. Better quality equipment is essential in developing young athletes into the best lifesavers they can be, allowing them to train to their fullest and compete on an equal footing with some of the bigger clubs around New Zealand, something St Clair SLSC already exceeds at with a number of national medallists amongst our club members.”

NZCT’s General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges, adds, “We’re thrilled to support St Clair SLSC. Modern equipment helps members best train and safe lives. NZCT can fund this community good thanks to the fundraising partnerships we share with Takeichi NZ and The Rope and Twine via their host responsible gaming lounges.”