Photo: Supplied
As summer looms, one of the country's most dangerous beaches is at risk of being short of lifeguards, as the dilapidated surf clubroom awaits a much-needed upgrade.
Auckland's Karioitahi Beach facilities are in such a state of disrepair, building committee co-chair Jim Coe says they're acting more as a storeroom than a congregation point for volunteers.
After a push to reach a funding goal of 7.5 million dollars fell 1.6 million short, the Surf Life Saving Club there has started work on a scaled-down plan, which it hopes to get over the line early next year. However Jim Coe says the state of the current club, which is 50 years old, means fewer lifeguards are putting their hands up this year.
While some beaches have modern facilities thanks to community and council funding, Surf Life Saving NZ has 147 which need work - ranging from maintenance, to a full rebuild. Several have limited capacity after the major flood events earlier this year, and two clubrooms - at Bethells Beach and Mangawhai Heads - are operating out of shipping containers.
Kariotahi Surf Lifesaving Club building committee co-chair Jim Coe, and Surf Lifesaving CEO Steve Fisher, speak to Kathryn Ryan.
