East End Surf Life Saving Club
Our History
With over 100 years of proud history, today East End is a vibrant and busy surf lifesaving club, active in beach safety, patrolling during summer, surf sports and junior surf.
We have a modern clubhouse with facilities for training lifeguards, housing & maintaining equipment, recreational activities and enjoying the stunning New Plymouth beach side location.
Key milestones in the Club’s history include (most recent at top):
2021-22 Season
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
2020-21 Season
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
1988 75th Jubilee for the club.
1987 Westpac Outstanding Rescue of the Year Award
1987 NZ Champion Women’s Club title
Our First 50 Years
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