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 SURF LIFESAVING BAY OF PLENTY is the District Office responsible for the support and development of 15 clubs and their members. Our Region stretches from Hot Water Beach in the North down to Opotiki in the South.

We are a non-profit, volunteer based organisation committed to the prevention of death by drowning and injury in Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. We have 3 staff that co-ordinate and deliver surf lifesaving services to ensure resources are allocated to  deliver the most effective services within our region.

SURF LIFESAVING BAY OF PLENTY supports and compliments our clubs services delivery through providing

• Lifeguard Development Course
• Club Development
• Beach Education Programmes for schools (Nov - March)
• Water Safety/Awareness programmes for schools and the Public (All year round)
• Surf Sport Programmes
• CoachForce Programme
• Emergency Callout Squads
• Forums for Lifeguarding and Research and Development
• Providing resources
• Water Safety for community events
• Clubs Advocate
• Running a Professional Lifesaving Services at designated beaches
• and more

Every year more than 2.3 million people go to the beach at least once during the summer.  Unfortunately on average 127 people drown each year in New Zealand.

Surf Life Saving is an organisation of people, ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things.  And while they may be ordinary people with ordinary jobs, last summer over 1,400 New Zealanders owed their lives to them.

The service our lifeguards provided to our communities in the 2008/2009 summer are impressive.  Bay of Plenty lifeguards:

• Saved 322 lives,
• Responded to 952 first aid / medical emergencies,                  
• Undertook 70 searches,
• Provided 26,318 safety interventions, and
• Assisted over 129,437 people.

Lifeguards patrolled our beaches for over 43,080 hours last summer.  These hours are a reflection of the health of Surf Life Saving in the Bay of Plenty region and our ability to respond to the ever increasing demand required by our community.

Behind these figures are the people, including over 3,800 members who have up their free time last summer to keep our beaches safe.  Our membership is strong and continues to grow.

LATEST NEWS AND QUICK LINKS

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION & AWARDS DINNER

A big thank you to everyone who attended our Volunteer Recognition and Awards Dinner, it was great to see members of all ages joining sponsors and special guests to celebrate together the recognition and achievements of our volunteers from the 2008-09 season. Special guests Brendon Horan entertained and inspired with his recollections of being both a highly successful surf athlete and coach, and receiving a Bravery Award for lifeguarding efforts in Australia. Photos can be veiwed on our GALLERY page ont he website. For a full list of award recipients click here. Again, a big thank you to all our sponsors and funders for your continued and dedicated support of our lifesaving and sport services. Finally, congratulations to all our award winners for achieving such a high level of success and good luck to Hayley Cowley, Travis McGeady, Quentin Harris, Gary Hinds and Mike Baker for the nominations in the SLSNZ Awards.

INSTRUCTORS & EXAMINERS MEETING
SLSBOP will be running a meeting for Surf Life Guard Award Examiners and Senior Instructors on Sunday 19th July, 1000-1300h at Omanu SLSC, facilitated by Allan Mundy our District Chief SLGA Examiner. Please click here for the memo if you have not received this. This workshop will include:
• changes to SLGA examinations
• changes to SLGA & BP IRB training content
• extra resourcing for SLGA Instructors & Instructor facilitators
• administration and examination day processes
Allan will be attending the SLSNZ District Chief Examiners Meeting in Wellington in a couple of weeks, and will be passing on this information to us all which will include the new lifeguard pathways developed by SLSNZ for the coming season. RSVP by 10th July to sarah@surfbop.org.nz

APPLICATIONS OPEN: REGIONAL GUARD & BEACH EDUCATION POSITIONS

Please click here to download the application form for both Regional Guard and Beach Education positions (same form). For those applying for Regional Guard, the compulsory assessment date is Saturday 10th October at Mount Maunganui Beach. All enquiries to sarah@surfbop.org.nz. Applications for all positions close Monday 5pm, 31st August 2009.

SLSBOP 2009-10 INFORMATION BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Please click here to download the full, compressed document. Here, you will find full district and club contacts, information on courses available and registration processes, and our Skills & Events Calendar. Note- NRCs dates amended.

 **SPECIAL OFFER EXCLUSIVELY FOR SURF LIFESAVING MEMBERS!**

Due to the popularity of last months offer, management have generously extended their offer for all SLSBOP members, but only till stocks as there are only a few Starter Packs left! This deal includes full access and use of the pool facilities, sauna, spa, fitness classes, weights & cardio equipment-a perfect way to stay fit over the cold, winter months!

$0 Joining Fee (instead of $99)
$15.92 per week (instead of $18.23)
PLUS an In Shape Starter Pack absolutely FREE

To book a free consultation or for any enquiries regarding this, please phone 575 0276 and ask for Nicole.

SLSBOP SWIM CHAMPS 2009

Initial event details and information now available: http://www.zeus-sport.com/SLSNZ/BOP/Article.aspx?ID=3176. 

 RESCUE OF THE MONTH WINNERS

Check out our monthly winners http://surfbop.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=7204 to read about our local surf life saving legends.

Thanks to Bodyline and SLSBOP, our lifeguards now have the opportunity to purchase quality wetsuit apparel at a reasonable price. A full range at heavily subsidised prices, exclusively for surf lifeguards are now available for lifeguards direct from Bodyline.

The wetsuit range which includes steamers, spring suits, shorts, longs, and titanium lined vests can be viewed by clicking here or through your local club. Please call Nate at Bodyline on 575 8518 to place your order. Please note that Bodyline can only provide these items for qualified lifeguards.

SLSBOP E-NEWSLETTERS

Check out our frequent e-newsletters http://surfbop.org.nz/NewsLetter/NewsLetterList.aspx?ID=2636 or email admin@surfbop.org.nz if you wish to subscribe to these.

Surf Life Saving Bay of Plenty would like to thank the following for their support:                                   

Contact Us
Surf Life Saving Bay of Plenty
3/33 Newton Street
PO Box 4667
Mount Maunganui South
TAURANGA 3149
Phone:  (07) 5...
Phone:  (07)57...
info@surfbop.org.nz