Surf lifesaving funding
Godfrey said he had talked to some of those involved and believed that line was inserted as an attentiongrabber rather than a serious threat.
“They would certainly be a lot worse off if they went out on their own.”
The actions of the Karekare, Piha and United clubs have created waves in the surf lifesaving community with even some of their own members questioning the hostile stance.
One life member of the Karekare club, former Waitakere mayor Sir Bob Harvey, said he did not believe the threats were appropriate.
“I wish it wasn’t happening,” he said. “It does nobody any good.”
At the heart of the issue is the funding model and disbursement by SLS Northern Region.
Many within the West Coast clubs believe the model is flawed and point to the fact that funding has been channelled to East Coast clubs — Red Beach, Orewa and Mairangi Bay are the ones frequently cited — to set up satellite stations at places like Wenderholm and Browns Bay, when the additional funding should go to beaches “that actually need it”.
“All they do at those beaches are put up signs that say don’t swim here because there’s poo in the water,” a source said.
The East Coast beaches had little risk and large populations on their doorstep from which to fundraise, say critics, while the West Coast beaches have far more dangerous conditions and comparatively few permanent residents to call upon as donors.
Williams said the East Coast clubs under their umbrella made comparable rescues and preventive actions, though he includes the regional East Coast clubs in those stats, not just the three metropolitan Auckland East Coast clubs that critics believe get too generous a slice of the funding pie.
The last annual SLSNR annual report put funding for Orewa, Red Beach and Mairangi Bay at $33,000, $27,000 and $30,000 respectively, though this did not take into account small sums for satellite locations.
In comparison, Piha, United and Karekare received sums of $36,000, $33,000 and $27,000.
When asked whether it was anomalous that the East Coast clubs received comparable funding to patrol such low-risk beaches, Williams and Godfrey echoed the belief that there was more to surf club activity than just rescues.
“Unfortunately you’re never going to be able to please everybody,” Godfrey said.
“You put your name to anything in this organisation that is at odds with the CEO and the board and you get shot down.”