Rescue for the Month of March - Sunset gains Northern and National Award
Trust Waikato Sunset Beach Lifeguards have been awarded the Rescue of the Month for March 2012 for both the Northern Region and Surf Life Saving New Zealand for their after hours rescue involving 6-7 patients in a mass rescue. This will now go forward to the Rescue of the year for 2011-2012 Season. Click here to read published report>>

Lifeguards involved were:
Shane Edwards (Patrol Captain), Joanne Hobson, Carolyn Edwards, Sam Dwen, Mark Edwards, Bryce Nicholl, Joshua Higgie, Lewis Powsell, Nikayla Poole, Robbie Shrimpton, Taylor Shrimpton, Torrie Shirmpton and Grace poole.
Date/Time:  2nd April 2012, 4.40pm

Club Prize Giving for 2011/2012 Season
On Sunday 8th April the surf club held their annual prize giving.  Fun evening with lots of awards as follows:
Most Improved junior Guard – Male                                    Jack Bond
Best junior Guard – Female                                     Grace Sharp
Outstanding Bronze Candidate                                           Grace Poole
Juniior Guard Excellence Award                                         Jack Morgan
Rookie of the Year – Brian Thickpenny Trophy                 Lucas Imrie
Most Improved Junior Lifeguard                                          Robbie Shrimpton
Lifeguard of the Year – Cruickshank Trophy                      Bryce Nichol & Malvina Mcquire
Patrol Person of the Year – Wicks Cup                              Jo Hobson
Top Clubbie – Bill Duncan Cup                                           Mark Edwards
Presidents Service Award                                                   Glennys Smith
Best Patrol Award – Bronzed Beach God             Patrol 3 – Alton Gallagher
Stirrers Wooden Spoon Award                                           Stephen Smith
Super Hero Award                                                                Sam Dwen & Lewis Powell
Best Act of the Year                                                              Ted Marsh - Best Sweep Skills!
Top Competitor – Don Dorizac Trophy                              U23 Surf Boat Crew
River Swim Champion – Harold Phillips Shield                Mark Edwards
Ladies Open Club Champion                                              Tori Shrimpton
Mens Open Club Champion                                                Sam Dwen
U19 Mens  Club Champion                                     Mark Edwards
U19 Womens Club Champion                                            Alana Ibbs
U16 Mens Club Champion                                                  Harry Hobson
U16 Womens Club Champion                                            Grace Poole

Success at NZ IRB Nationals - Warrington, Dunedin March 30th 2012 - Two Silvers and a Bronze
Sunset Beach Lifeguards ended the IRB racing season with two silver medals and a Bronze at the IRB nationals.  The team of 13 lifeguards from Sunset Beach Port Waikato, travelled to Warrington in the South Island for the IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) nationals from the 30th March to 1st April.  Competing against 33 other teams from all over New Zealand, the U21 men’s A team of Shane Edwards, Sam Dwen with Grace Poole as the patient, won a silver medal in the tube rescue and came 4th in the assemble rescue and mass rescue finals. 

The U21 B (Mark Edwards and Josh Higgie) and C teams (Lewis Powell and Bryce Nichol), competing in their first season as teams, achieved excellent results at the nationals with the C team making the assembly final and the B team making the semis of the tube rescue.  The women’s team of Nikayla Poole and Jane Griffiths faced stiff competition from South Island teams and were unable to make finals.  Even though the weather was great the water was a lot colder than those found in the waters of the North Island.  The team of patients, Grace Poole, Tori Shrimpton, Taylor Shrimpton, Robbie Shrimpton and Kristen Mous, showed true grit and determination over the three days of competition, donning a number of thermals and wetsuits and battling cold and numb fingers and toes. 

Shane, Sam and Grace, were also presented with a silver medal for the National U21 IRB series and the womens team of Malvina McQuire, Alana Ibbs and Taylor Shrimpton got bronze medal for the National U21 IRB series. Their reward for points accumulated from three competitions they competed at throughout the season (October to March).

The team have been fundraising for the last couple of years so that they could attend these Nationals and would like to thank  all of the people that have supported them.

Surf Club Fundraising Dinner for IRB Team to Nationals in Dunedin... WOW, what a night!! "Sold Out"

Nici Wickes and "World Kitchen" - 25th February
Nici volunteered her services to help raise funds with a community dinner. The IRB team served and there were raffles and items for Auction. The event was sold out and guests had an entertaining evening with snippets from IRB racing, Nici's Bloopers from "World Kitchen" and Ewen Gilmour was the auctioneer. The hot auction item of the night was "Dinner for 8 in the surf club tower". It was so hotly contested Nici agreed to have two dinners when approached by the runer up who matched the auction price. Second hot item was "Hire-a Clubbie", the boys autioned themselves as labourers.

Thanks to all the parent helpers, Nici Wickes, Ewen Gilmour and the IRB crews for an awesome job. Wouldn't be a success with out the local supporters who brought all the tickets so thanks to the Port Waikato community and friends.

U23 Surf Boat Crew competes Piha Big Wave- 25th February
The U23 surf boat crew travelled to Piha to compete in the Piha Big Wave Event. They were: Sam Dwen, Mark Edwards, Bryce Nicholl, Lewis Powell and Ted Marsh (sweep), Manager Terry Wylie.

The team faced messy big conditions but braved it out with 2 x second placings and a 4th in the final. Only one broken sweep oar but so proud to get out there and back without tipping anyone overboard. Well done! Was more than some crews could manage. Ted was wearing the helmet with the TV camera so maybe we'll see them on Piha Rescue at some stage.

Northern Region Champs - Ruakaka - What a success!
A large team of competitors and supporters travelled to Ruakaka to compete in the Northern Region Champs at Ruakaka. We had lots of excellent results and all enjoyed the competition and the experience of competing. One exception maybe Rachel who now has leg in plaster after the masters beach sprint relay, as she puts it she's now "the broken Witch".

Results as follows:
U21 Mens IRB - Sunset A(Sam, Shane and Grace: 2nd Tube Rescue, 3rd Mass Rescue, 1st Assembly Rescue, 3rd Open Teams Race. Sunset B (Mark Edwards, Josh Higgie):4th Single resuce. Sunset C (Bryce and Lewis): 4th Tube rescue, 5th Assembly Rescue, 3rd Single rescue.
Womens IRB - Sunset Green (Nikayla & Jane): 1st Tube Rescue, 4th Mass rescue, 4th Assembly, 6th Single Rescue. Sunset Gold (Mel & Alana): 2nd mass Rescue, 2nd Assembly, 4th Single Rescue.
U19 Mens Beach Flags: Joshua Higgie 3rd place
Masters Women: Jan Shrimpton 1st Sprints, 1st Swim. Rachel Johnstone 2nd sprints. Jacqui Waldegrave 2nd Swim

U23 Surf Boat Crew competes at Waihi Beach - 4th and 5th February.
The U23 surf boat crew travelled to Waihi to compete in the 3rd of the surf boat series. They were: Sam Dwen, Mark Edwards, Joshua Higgie, Lewis Powell and Ted Marsh (sweep), Manager Terry Wylie.

Northern Region held a minute silence for Rex who had served 50 years in the boat and arena. The clubbies (56 teams) lined up along the shore and raised their oars for the minutes silence.

The crew found conditions tough and missed team members Shane Edwards and Bryce Nicholls on the Saturday. They also missed their sweep (Ted) who ended up overboard in two of the races. Lewis Powell swept them to the finish line in their 3rd race with Ted swimming to shore. Check out the pictures.

Sunday and the conditions were rougher. There were many injuries during the day, two of our crew members had concusions (Ted Marsh and Bryce Nicholl) and Bryce also got a chipped tooth.

Surf Boat Series - Whangamata 2nd January 2011
Sunset Beach U23 crew travelled to Whangamata to compete in the second round of the Surf Boat Series. Finishing 5th overall they were competitive with unlucky surf breaks at times not going in their favour. Team was: Shane Edwards, Sam Dwen, Lewis Powell and Bryce Nicol.

Great to see a bunch of supporters travelled to watch as well.

Check out the below link to the Waikato Times where they made front page.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6209103/Port-Waikato-team-keep-others-honest

December 2011 - Christmas Parade - Port Waikato
Fun time had by all at the Port Waikato Christmas Parade with the Surf Club Entry. Plenty of water flowing as usual on this hot afternoon.

and... at the beach on Christmas Day, lunch was served to those on paid guard.

Click Images to Enlarge

Click Images to Enlarge

Day one dawned with the sea conditions not very favourable for racing with a fresh easterly, and messy surf.  Many crews had trouble in these conditions with their boats flipping, including our U21 men’s A team who flipped their boat in the final of the tube rescue.  The U21 A and C team made the semi’s for both the tube rescue and mass rescue, and the women’s gold team made it into the final of the mass rescue and came 4th. 

Day 2 and the teams were determined to improve on day 1.  The weather had not improved and it was the women’s gold teams turn to flip the boat.

The U21 men’s A team were the most successful, coming 2nd in the assembly rescue and 3rd in the single rescue.  This was better than the 2010 North Island Champs where they only won a bronze medal in the assembly rescue. 

Click on photos to enlarge.

Check out more photos at http://youtu.be/jA6TZ2_wneM

This result is even more remarkable as the boat they are using is good in surf but the there was no surf in the weekend so the other crews boats where better suited to the conditions and also a lot newer.  The Sunset crew are using second hand (old) oars and the sweep oar is more than 25 years old (with a number of joins).

The crew were only put together at the beginning of this year, none of whom had done any form of rowing before. This was the third carnival they have competed in, and the first final.  Sweep and coach Ted Marsh is upping the training in preparation for the next carnival on the 2nd Jan at Whangamata. Check out the two links below to see photos - none of our guys thought to take any.

http://sport.surflifesaving.org.nz/sport-news/2011/december/double-surf-boat-joy-for-mairangi-bay/

http://sport.surflifesaving.org.nz/galleries/nz-surf-boat-series-wtgn/

Melvina McQuire and Bryce Nicholl interviewed on Close up - Port Waikato River Mouth Drownings - Teenagers looking after our Beaches!
Melvina and Bryce were interviewed at the kariotahi Surf Club about their part in the rescues at the Waikato River Mouth on Labour Day - October 2011. Melvina and Bryce found a person and hauled him on board (160 kgs). He was unable to be revived. Sunset sent three crews to search for 3 missing men, who were all found drowned. The young teenage crews are to be commended for their part in the rescue effort put together by Shane Edwards.

Shane also co-ordinated a second rescue effort 4 days later at the same spot at the river mouth to search and rescue 3 more persons.

Waikato River Joint Response Plan - Coastguard/Sunset Beach SLS/Kariotahi SLS
On Sunday morning 9th October a practice of the emergency Waikato River Joint Response Plan was carried out involving the Coastguard, Sunset Beach SLS and Kariotahi SLS. The plan is put in place for serious incidents/drownings on the Waikato Bar/River Mouth which are significant hazards at Port Waikato.

The scenario involved communications, teams of IRB's, Coastguard vessels, Search Gridliines, SurfCom, Callout Team Members.

King of Rangitoto - Sunset Beach Finishes 3rd Place
The Sunset Beach U21 Boat Crew completed the race to Rangitoto, a run to the top and back to Takapuna Beach finishing in 3rd place behind 2 senior crews with just minutes seperating them from the 1st and 2nd place. Team coach and sweep Ted Marsh was impressed with their rowing and stamina to come in 3rd place. Other crews said they were rowiing well. We look foward to seeing some action from this crew in the Boat Racing this year!

Sunset Beach Finishes 2nd at Surf Life Saving 90 Mile Classic IRB Challenge
The Surf Life Saving 90 Mile Classic IRB Challenge was held 10/9/2011.  This is a tough, challenging event testing skills and fitness of the IRB drivers and crewman.  Sunset Beach entered two teams who both finished well.  There were 26 teams competing, the Sunset Beach A Team(Shane Edwards, Sam Dwen, Mark Edwards) finished in 2nd place, 30 seconds behind the winner after a 2 1/2 hour race.  A fantastic result competing against experienced senior teams, our guys are 19 and under.  The team are going to fund raise for a racing prop, which would improve their racing speed for next year.

The ladies team (Malvina McQuire, Jane Griffiths and Nikayla Poole) finished 17th in 3.48 hours battling break downs along the way and completing the challenges which were a little gruelling.   Malvina carrying the motor on her shoulders at one stage, 300 metres along the beach.  Well done ladies, we're tough here on the West Coast!

Rachel Johnstone made Life Member
The special award of Life Membership was awarded to Rachael Johnstone congratulating her on 36 years of service to the club; holding numerous positions on the committee, Helicopter Lifeguard with Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Regional and National title holder in surf sports, and New Zealand Surf Sports representative. Congratulations!!
52nd AGM Report
The Clubs 52nd AGM was held on 24th July 2011 with excellent attendance by members and was supported by Life members and special guests from Trust Waikato, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region and Councilor Jenny Hayman from the Waikato District Council. Malcomlm Beattie, club President's report commented on the record qualifications members obtained and the commitment to up-skilling, all of which come as a direct cost to the Club but are paramount in providing the best Lifeguards on the beach. Our Club received 100% in all Patrol Audits carried out over summer 2010-2011. Malcolm Beattie remains president for the 2011 - 2012 season.
Raewyn Morgan Thanked for Long Service to the Club
Raewyn Morgan was acknowledged for time and efforts for long service as the Club Treasurer and previous Secretary (16 years). She now has an assistant who will help her with a joint treasurers roll. THANKS RAEWYN!!!

The team competed against 36 other (Under 21) teams from all over New Zealand in Tube Rescue, Mass Rescue, Single Rescue and Assembly rescue.  They made all finals for each of the events, obtaining silver medal for tube rescue, fourth in the assembly and single rescue and 5th in the mass rescue.  Patients in these events were, Bryce Nichol, Lewis Powell and Josh Higgie.

Competing for the first time this year, Sunset also had a women’s team and another U21 men’s team.  The women’s team (Nikayla Poole, Sherrie Hobson and patient Alana Ibbs) made the semi final in the assembly rescue and the U21 B team (Mark Edwards, Nathan Sands, and patients Nikayla Poole, Sherrie Hobson, Alana Ibbs) made the quarter final in the mass rescue.
Results from all races ranked the entire team 10th out of all the Surf clubs competing. This was a huge improvement from last year when they came 20th.

Club Prize Giving & End of Season BBQ. Sunday 24th April – Club rooms

Sunset Beach competes the NZ Surf Life Saving Nationals at Mt Maunganui.

This was the first Nationals for our U19 Surf Boat Crew. Yes they had their "L" plates on the boat... ha.. ha...!! They got a 4th, 2nd and 4th In the heats of the long distance.  The final race was really exciting.  They were on the same wave as Red Beach (2nd in the final) and Piha ( third in the final) They just missed betting these teams and from being in the final.  A huge improvement all round considering they have only been training for 2 months.

Alana got 27th in the U19 run swim run.  She enjoyed this better than the swim and considering she is in the U16 age group, a really good result.  (there is no U16 run swim run)

Sunset got a huge cheer when they did the March past, a big welcome back to the NZ surf Lifesaving Nationals. Thnk they got the bug for more!! Look out next year.

Link here to see more photos of Surf Life Saving boaties in action. http://www.orange74.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=24958

Click Images to Enlarge

Click Images to Enlarge

Sunset Beach competes at the Trilllian Trust Northern Region Championships at Ruakaka 19th and 20th February - placed 8th overall out of 13 clubs.

A large competition team from our club competed at the Northern Region Surf Champs held at Ruakaka - 15 team members. The team included three IRB teams and a Surf Boat Team. Team members also entered beach and Swim events.

This year the IRB A team of Shane Edwards and Sam Dwen gained a Gold, Silver and Bronze in their finals. Results show they are still the top U211 team in the Northern Region. The B team of Mark Edwards and Nathan Sands although not making finals finished 4th in their heats. The women's crew of Nikayla Poole and Sherrie Hobson were in all finals and only just missed a bronze medal.

For the first time in 20 years Sunset had a Surf Boat crew, talk of the beach, with many coaches, officials and sweeps remebering Sunsets Surf Boat past and welcoming the new team. Ted Marsh especially had 'a blast from the past" welcome back. They may have finished last in all their races on the first day after a few mis-judgements, the last race was even without the sweep, Ted, after gear failure going overboard after the first wave. The second day saw an improvement to one place better in the long coarse.

Alana Ibbs won bonze medal in the U16 beach sprint and Leith McGill placed 4th in the U16 men's beach sprint. The team also competed in beach flags, board rescue and tube rescue.
Check out the action below:

Click on photos to Enlarge. Click here to go to Youtube Video>>>>

Sunset Beach has a Surf Boat Crew

Seen out rowing in the surf for just the second time. Very entertaining:
Ted fell out twice, lost his glasses, caught a complusery, flipped the boat, broke three oars, but man it was good!! Click images to enlarge.

IRB Competition - North Piha 2010

First IRB competion for the 2010-2011 season and kicked off to a great start., All crews having top results. The girls the only crew brave enough to get out there and do it in a 3 metre plus surf. The boys all showing superior skills, out classing other teams in most of the races.

Sunset gained most points overall, how long has it taken us to get there! Click here for the results>>>

Click Image to Enlarge

90 Mile Beach Race - September 2010

The IRB racing team of Sam Dwen, Shane Edwards and Mark Edwards headed North again for the 90 mile race. Fantastic results leading the race for most of the way until gear failure had them losing ground to finish 7th overall. Great result, shame about the gear failure, look out for this Sunset team next year. Well done guys, proud of you!

Sunset Beach Surf Club hosts Variety Club Bash

The day after the huge storm that swept Franklin saw a white wall of foam up the hills and the Variety Club Bash came to town. Sunset hosted the breakfast and it was a breakfast to remember, for $10 they had the works. Well done Sunset Team.

Click Image to Enlarge

Sunset Beach Wins Silver at Nationals

Sunsets U21 team of Sam Dwen, Shane Edwards and Mark Edwards won Silver medal at the 2010 New Zealand IRB Surf Lifesaving Championships.

Competing against 37 other teams they went through heats, semi finals and finals to get 2nd place in the Tube Rescue. Click on the photo to enlarge, talk about the proudest team there!

Another fact. Sunset were the only U21 Northern Region team to get a medal at the Championships.

Also competing for Sunset in the team were Nikayla Poole and Sherrie Hobson in the Mass Rescue event. Go Sunset!