CLUB NEWS MAY '26

New Accessible Changing Facility/First Aid Room

By repurposing space within the clubhouse, Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc. and Live Well Waihī Beach have created a purpose-built accessible changing facility alongside our first aid room, delivering something truly valuable for our community and visitors without the cost of a full rebuild.

The new space provides a safe, private and fully accessible environment for beachgoers with additional needs, including room for carers and specialist equipment. Located right by the sand, it makes the beach more inclusive and easier to enjoy for everyone.

It also significantly enhances our first aid capability, giving our lifeguards a more suitable space to manage serious or complex incidents with privacy, dignity and better access to equipment.

On top of that, we’re incredibly proud to share this project has been recognised with Best Collaboration at the Western Bay Community Awards 2026. With so many strong finalists, this recognition means a lot.

Thank you to the Western Bay Community Awards partners Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

We’re proud of what this project represents for Waihī Beach. To our community, thank you. This is a shared achievement and a partnership we’re very proud of.

Bowentown Hub

The Bowentown regional patrol made the most of the new hub, with IRB boats, fuel, tools and gear all on site. Set-up and pack-down could happen right there, without the back-and-forth to the clubhouse.

Fit-out is now underway, with internal walls going in thanks to the generous support of a local builder. Spaces for the kitchen/incident room, first aid, and amenities are starting to take shape.

If you would like to support the Bowentown Hub project, we would be very grateful for your help. As costs have increased, we are working to raise additional funds to complete the fit-out over Winter. Please email the office at info@waihibeachlifeguards.co.nz and our Chair will be in touch.

Surfing for Farmers

Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services and Surfing For Farmers come together on Tuesday evenings during the summer. Mike Meade, local club member and Surfing For Farmers Co-ordinator, brought the two organisations together.

People from the rural community are encouraged to head to Waihī Beach weekly to take time away from their busy lives. They start with an enjoyable surf, then afterwards they head up to the club for a yarn and classic Kiwi BBQ on the deck overlooking Mayor Island.

What better way to chill and catch up with other like-minded people. Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services are proud to support this great initiative and to work alongside Mike, an outstanding volunteer in our local community.

We look forward to seeing all of you next summer.

Community Education Session

Sunday 21 June

2:00pm start (till approx 3:30pm)

Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc. is running a Public Rescue Equipment community education session to help locals understand what PRE is, how it works, and when not to use it.

The session includes:

• Surf safety briefing (rips, hazards and what to do in an emergency)
• Practical session for strong swimmers (wetsuits required)

The most important message

If you see someone in trouble in the surf or water, call 111 and ask for Police. We also want to be clear: we do not want unconfident swimmers attempting rescues. PRE can help provide flotation, but only strong, confident swimmers should attempt an assist, and only if conditions allow. If you’re not confident, stay on shore, keep eyes on the person, and help direct responders to the right location.

Help us keep PRE rescue-ready

As this equipment rolls out, we’re also asking the community to help keep an eye on it. From time to time, ropes are removed or gear is interfered with. If you notice PRE missing or damaged while you’re out and about, please let us know by emailing the office with details - the faster we know, the faster we can fix it.



Thank you for being part of the wider community that backs surf safety at Waihī Beach – whether through membership, support, sponsorship or simply helping share key safety messages.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 Board of Directors

We’re pleased to welcome three new faces to our Board this season: Kate, Aron and Jenny.

Each brings their own experience, perspective and connection to the club, and we’re looking forward to the contribution they’ll make as we continue to support our lifeguards, programmes and wider community.

Alongside our new members, we’re fortunate to have a strong group of long-standing Board members who continue to provide leadership, continuity and a deep understanding of the club. You can find out more about our full Board, including our new and experienced members, here.

And a Huge THANK YOU to Andrew

Thank you to Andrew Cochrane for his many years of service on the Board and his significant contribution to the health of the Club. Andrew has worked tirelessly across a wide range of projects and, in recent years, has focused on major building developments, including the Bowentown Hub, deck canopy, first aid, and change room upgrades, along with the redevelopment of the damaged ground floor.

His retirement from the Board will give him more time to enjoy surf sport and spend time with his family. Andrew’s wife Jenny has been a strong supporter of the Club, enabling him to contribute so much as a volunteer.

Andrew’s legacy is clear to see around the Club, and we’re grateful for everything he has given.



Andrew will continue as Search and Rescue Co-ordinator, Chair of the Building Committee, and an active lifeguard.

Wahine on Water

Sat 20th - Sun 21st Jun

Waihi Beach

Public Rescue Equipment Session - Community Education

Sun 21st Jun 2pm

Polar Plunge

Sat 11th July

12.30pm

Waihi Beach

Watch our socials - more info coming soon!

And thanks as always to our key donors and sponsors for all of their ongoing support to deliver lifesaving and search and rescue services.