Club holds polar plunge

Pukehina Beach Surf Rescue event raises funds for building work

Lachie Ferguson with dad, Scott, in the background at the Pukehina Polar Plunge.

Winter hasn’t stopped Pukehina Beach Surf Rescue holding events. One a recent Saturday, the ocean was doing its beautiful winter imitation of a lake, so a group of hardy and slightly crazy locals thought it the perfect opportunity to dress up and dive into it for what was the inaugural Pukehina Polar Plunge.

The event was organised to bring the community down to the beach during winter, and to fundraise for the redevelopment of the Pukehina Surf Rescue building.

A clear but chilly day welcomed the large gathering of brave souls, and reports circulated of it “being warmer in than out” in an attempt to entice the assembled group into the water.

There was a multitude of entry techniques on display, from the slow tip toe in, to the run and dive, to the having no choice when being picked up and thrown in.

Post plunge, participants welcomed warming up with hot soup or a sausage sizzle. Prizes were given out for the best dressed. Pukehina Beach Surf Rescue wish to thank all the organisers of this inaugural community event, as well as the generous sponsors, and look forward to seeing everyone when they do it all again next year.

Pukehina Surf Rescue held its 22nd AGM last Sunday, at which the club appointed Kevin Barugh their first patron, and six members were acknowledged for their outstanding effort to club and community.

A service award went to Laura Lee Boxer Paki and a distinguished service award to Jason Rive. In acknowledgment of tireless support of the club, life memberships were awarded to Kerry Barugh, Margaret H Williams, Andrew Mcdowell and Boyd Harris.

This Saturday there will be another new event for the club, the highly anticipated Moana 2 Maunga walk. This is a 34km fun run/walk in teams of four along the coastline from Pukehina Beach Surf Rescue to the top of Mauao.

Anyone interested in giving this exciting winter challenge a try can phone Boyd on 027 341 4439.