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About Us

The East End Surf Life Saving Club provides a vital community service to the people of New Plymouth by voluntarily delivering lifeguard patrols at East End Beach.

The Club’s primary mission is to prevent drownings at East End Beach. Our secondary objectives include:

  • Educating the public on safe open water practices.
  • Developing and enhancing skills within our membership.
  • Providing sporting and leisure opportunities for all Club members.
  • Promoting the healthy and safe recreational use of East End Beach.

Based on New Plymouth’s Tasman Sea coastline, East End Beach is a classic west coast black sand surf beach. It is exposed to prevailing south-westerly winds and characterised by dynamic ocean swells and currents.

However, East End Beach stands out as the safest of New Plymouth’s open ocean beaches. This is due to a combination of the Club’s efficient lifeguard patrols and the natural geographical features that make this location unique.

Centrally located and easily accessible, East End Beach has long been a favourite recreational spot for generations of New Plymouth families. In line with its welcoming environment and popularity with family groups, we proudly promote East End as “the friendly, family beach.”

Our commitment is to deliver a high-quality, user-friendly service that ensures East End Beach remains a safe and enjoyable place for all.

 

Our History

With a proud history spanning over 100 years, East End Surf Lifesaving Club remains a cornerstone of the New Plymouth community. Today, it is a vibrant and dynamic organisation dedicated to ensuring beach safety, providing essential patrols during the busy summer months, and fostering a passion for surf sports and junior surf development.

Our modern clubhouse serves as the heart of our operations, offering state-of-the-art facilities designed to train and upskill lifeguards, store and maintain vital rescue equipment, and support a wide range of recreational and community activities. Nestled along the stunning New Plymouth coastline, our clubhouse also provides a welcoming space where members and visitors alike can come together to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of our iconic beachside location.

At East End, we pride ourselves on nurturing a strong sense of community, teamwork, and service, ensuring our beaches remain safe and enjoyable for everyone while inspiring the next generation of surf lifesavers and ocean enthusiasts.

 

Our Timeline

  • 2021-2022

    Membership: 395

    Lifeguards: 95

    Hours on Patrol: 1060

    Surf Sport (National Rankings)

    Juniors: N/A (Covid 19 cancelled event)

    Seniors: N/A (Covid 19 cancelled event)

    3 members selected for SLSNZ surf sport teams

  • 2020-2021

    Membership: 351

    Lifeguards: 80

    Hours on Patrol: 1664

    Surf Sport (National Rankings)

    Juniors: N/A (Covid 19 cancelled event)

    Seniors: N/A Covid 19 cancelled event)

    IRB’s:  1

    Pool Champs: 11

    3 members selected for SLSNZ surf sport teams

  • 2020

    2 members selected for SLSNZ surf sport teams

  • 2019

    3 members selected for SLSNZ surf sport teams, again SLSNZ Taranaki Club of the year

  • 2018

    2 Members selected for SLSNZ surf sport teams, SLSNZ Taranaki Club of the year.

  • 2017

    Claudia Kelly was selected in the NZ Junior Black fins national squad. Both the senior and junior surf sports teams finished 11th at their respective national championships.

  • 2016

    Craig and John Dent were awarded life memberships. Sinead Malley was selected in the NZ Youth Squad for surf sports.

  • 2015

    Our Under 14 Ocean Athletes team finished 8th out of 32 clubs at their national championships. Old Crocs masters swim team got fourth at the National Pool Championships

  • 2014

    Lions Club donated $10,000.00 towards a new defibrillator and paid for an improved access-way to our first aid station in the patrol tower.

    Our Second 50 Years

  • 2013

    We celebrated our Centenary at Easter with a highly successful series of Jubilee events. Surf boats made a return to competition at East End after an absence of over 30 years. Our IRB team win their national championships for the fifth year in a row.

  • 2012

    For the fourth year in a row, East End takes top spot as best overall IRB club.

  • 2011

    East End once again NZ’s top IRB club after winning 7 golds.

  • 2010

    East End was again crowned NZ IRB champion club after winning 8 gold medals.

  • 2009

    East End is the overall winner and champion club at the IRB National Champs

  • 2006

    East End hosts NZ Masters Surf Lifesaving champs

  • 2004

    Upgrade and expansion of Clubhouse completed

  • 2003

    New patrol tower completed for the 90th Jubilee

  • 2000

    East End achieves 5th place at NZ Surf Lifesaving champs

  • 1995

    EP (Bill) Coleman memorial gear shed completed.

    NZ Champion Women’s Club title.

  • 1988

    75th Jubilee for the club.

  • 1987

    Westpac Outstanding Rescue of the Year Award.

    NZ Champion Women’s Club title

  • 1963

    50th Jubilee for the Club

  • 1962

    Existing Clubhouse at Strandon completed

  • 1958

    Ladies Section reformed (having gone into recess during WWII)

  • 1953

    First national title win (Senior Men’s four place Alarm)

  • 1943

    Clubhouse returned to the club by the Government

  • 1940

    Clubhouse taken over by Government for Coastguard Service during WWII

  • 1937

    Original clubhouse at Strandon site completed

  • 1936

    Club shifted to present location from Western side of the Te Henui river mouth

  • 1931

    First win by Ladies Section of the Club

  • 1930

    Pool nights commenced at the Kawaroa Salt Water Baths

  • 1929

    Ladies Section of the Club formed

  • 1915

    First Tabor Shield victory (Taranaki six place senior men’s R + R championship)

  • 1913

    Club Commenced

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Contacts

Life Members

* Deceased

LOOKING TO JOIN EAST END SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB?

East End Surf Life Saving Club welcomes everyone to join our vibrant community. Whether you’re interested in Junior Surf, Senior Surf, IRBs, Surf Boats, or Masters Swimming, there’s something for every age and skill level.
Thank you to the organisations that support our club
benefactor
platinum Sponsors
gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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Comunity Funding, Grants & Donations