Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi

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Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi

To lead in the delivery of water safety services to our local community

Values:
~ Friendship, camaraderie & family
~ Develop, train and recognise
~ Operating with integrity, respect and accountability
~ Achieving through commitment, passion, pride and professionalism
~ Team above self
~ Sack up or Pack Up

13/01/2026

The first Junior Surf session kicked off on the weekend – and what a day it was!
With over 150 nippers at the club, along with parent and lifeguard helpers, it was a fantastic day on the beach and in the waves, learning skills and having fun!

Up north, Ruakaka Beach turned on the sunshine, the heat but forgot the waves for the Northland Head-To-Head. Nonetheless, the IRB Team got amongst it for a big day of racing!

01/01/2026

As we enter 2026, Lifeguards have been so far kept busy at Karioitahi this summer - here are our stats so far!
Conditions have been hazardous at times, particularly at low tide with ever changing rips and holes present.

Please take care if you are around water this summer. Here are some tips to keep you safe:
- Only swim between the flags during patrolled hours (weekends 11am-5pm, week days 11am-7pm).

- If you are stuck in a rip; Relax & Float, Raise your hand, Ride the Rip.

- Phone 111 if you see someone in trouble.

🟡 Public Rescue Equipment (to be used by competent swimmers in an emergency) has been installed on the rear of the Beach Hazard sign at the beach entrance (end of the road). Remember to phone 111 first!

27/12/2025

Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi would like to acknowledge efforts from Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service, Waiuku Coastguard, Counties Manukau Police including Police Martime unit and Police Eagle, Westpac Rescue - Auckland, St. John, Fire and Emergency NZ and members of the public who were involved alongside our own volunteers in the immediate response to a water incident involving a JetSki near the Waikato River Entrance around 6:25pm on Christmas Day. We also acknowledge the subsequent searches and recovery efforts carried out since.

This morning members from the SLS Kariaotahi Counties Energy Search and Rescue Squad supported Police to return the final outstanding person to their family. All persons are now accounted for, though sadly one person has died.

Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.din

14/12/2025

Our Paid Lifeguard Service is officially underway, operating Monday to Friday from 11am–7pm, starting now and running through to mid-February. The rahui that was also in place lifts today. Thank you to those that adhered to this being in place over the last 7 days.

Vollies will still continue to be on patrol on the weekends as well keeping people safe over the summer period.

While our paid lifeguards are on patrol during these times, conditions at our beaches can be treacherous and change quickly. Please take a moment to assess the conditions before entering the water.

🔴 Swim between the flags when they’re up
🌊 If the flags aren’t up and you’re unfamiliar with the conditions, please stay out of the water
⚠️ Check surf conditions on the SafeSwim Website and listen to lifeguard advice

Our lifeguards are here to help keep you safe, but your safety starts with smart decisions.

Enjoy the beach, look after one another, and respect the conditions.

09/12/2025

Following last nights fatality at Karioitahi Beach local Iwi have placed a rāhui from directly infront of the clubhouse south to the Waikato river mouth for the next 7 days.

A rāhui is a temporary restriction or prohibition placed on a specific area or resource like our Moana to protect & respect what has occurred. It’s a form of guardianship to ensure future well-being.

This rāhui includes temporary restriction to
- kai gathering/fishing
-swimming & recreational activity

We will post again once the rāhui has been lifted.

Please respect the beach at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy.

08/12/2025

Since October, our volunteer lifeguards have been working tirelessly, not just during patrol hours, but often outside of them, responding to incidents and intervening early to prevent situations from escalating.

When we look at the early-season comparison to 2024, the numbers show a clear increase in callouts and preventive actions. This season’s mix of strong outgoing tides, shifting sandbanks, and rapidly changing beach conditions is keeping our teams especially busy.

Despite all of this, our lifeguards continue to show incredible commitment to keeping our community safe. Their focus remains on education, prevention, and being ready at a moment’s notice when someone needs help.

How you can help keep everyone safe:
Always swim between the red and yellow flags
Stay within patrolled hours wherever possible
Keep an eye on the ocean, conditions can change quickly
If the beach is unpatrolled, think twice before entering the water
If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for Police

Your awareness and good choices make a huge difference. Let’s work together to make this a safe, fun summer for everyone at the beach.

Don’t be the next statistic - swim between the flags!

Thank you to our dedicated lifeguards for everything you do. ❤️💛

25/11/2025

🌊Tuesday Night Tips 🌊

The calm green water areas within the surf zone shown in these drone photos highlight the many holes and rips that are present at Karioitahi Beach currently.

Lifeguards have been kept busy lately, particularly on the outgoing low tide when rips and holes are most prevalent.

Our Counties Energy Search & Rescue Squad has been activated three times in two weeks to respond to emergency calls for water related incidents in the main beach area.

As we move into the summer months, remember:
🚨Only swim between the flags during lifeguarded hours
🚨Check the conditions before going for a swim and stay within your depth
🚨If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for Police

As always our vollies are on in the weekends till approx 5pm and from Monday 15th December the Paid Lifeguard Service will be on mon-Fri 11am till 7pm until mid February!!

BUT IF IN DOUBT - STAY OUT ❤️💛

10/11/2025

🚨 Callout – 9 November 2025, 1937hrs 🚨

Last night, our Counties Energy SAR squad was called out again to reports of two people in trouble in the water. The crew responded immediately, and thankfully, the pair had managed to self-rescue before things worsened.

Lifeguards administered first aid at the scene, established a landing zone for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and supported ambulance staff until both patients were stable and able to leave the beach safely.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to swim at lifeguarded beaches when the flags are up and lifeguards are on patrol. 🌊
Never test your limits — and remember: if in doubt, stay out.

A big thank you to everyone involved in last night’s response including local police and fire, teamwork in action keeping our coastline safe. ❤️💛

09/11/2025

🌊 Real Test for the New Building Last Night 🌊

Last night the new facility got put to the test when three people got into trouble after hours on a dangerous part of the beach.

Three separate parties had gone swimming well after patrol had finished and on a low tide, which was just enough to suck them out through a hole north of the surf club. Thankfully, Surf Lifeguards responded quickly to the callout, with a couple of our Counties Energy SAR Squad members staying at the club and able to get things moving fast.

This was a timely reminder that conditions can change quickly, and even familiar spots can become hazardous outside of patrol hours.
Three people were briskly collected by guards, 2 in an IRB and 1 swimming and returned to shore safe and sound. All 3 patients left the beach in a stable condition.

A stark reminder to please not exceed your limitations , and if in doubt, stay out.

Volunteer patrols are on now until Easter from 11am till at least 4pm each weekend.

08/11/2025

🚨Brand New Digs Officially Opened 🚨

Saturday 1st November saw our new clubrooms officially opened by our original founding members and what a spectacular day it was.

19 years of planning, hard work and dedication by volunteers has finally paid off an our West Coast Training Facility has been completed.

A huge shout out to Pukekohe Builders for a stellar effort of pulling off our vision and for producing this stunning building. We are forever thankful you made our dream a reality.

Enjoy the photos from the opening
📸credit to the wonderfully talented Kasia Coe

05/11/2025

❤️🖤🤍 What a weekend! ❤️🖤🤍
Thank you to every person who came out this weekend and helped us celebrate the opening of our new surf club building. It was lovely to enjoy this occasion with a lot of old and new faces.
Stay tuned for the official photos from Saturday coming out later this week that showcase the day and all its glory.
While you wait, why don’t you check out a bit of what happened on Sunday at our open day that was all captured on Seven Sharp.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/seven-sharp?fbclid=IwVERDUAN32xxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe8icUnDQ8SwKCAkooJ43XX-cz9WtuWDEpxzlVcfzHhJUVV6TV-4jTjgdNqHs_aem_pJWuo0EZlzVsIDGmNmr1tg

Address

End Of Kariaotahi Road
Waiuku

Telephone

+6492358470

Website

http://www.kariaotahi.org.nz/

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