About Us
The Rārangi Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1958.
The Club started patrolling at Rārangi Beach and members often walked over the rocks on a track to Whites Bay. Rārangi Beach is a black stone / pebble beach, where-as Whites Bay is a much nicer sandy beach. The Club had a section of land at Rārangi that was donated to them by Bernie Hipkins.
On completion of the Port Underwood power transmission lines from Cook Strait and the formation of a gravel road from Rārangi to Whites Bay, the Club shifted to Whites Bay, the Rārangi land was sold and through working bees by the Members the present Club Rooms were built at Whites Bay. These Club Rooms were opened on 7 April 1968 by John Watt, Convener of the Club.
Throughout the 60's & 70's the Club struggled for members. The club was kept afloat by John Humphrey during the 70's & 80's. He was the Coach & bought the van to take Club members to Surf Carnivals & Championships. John died in 1990 after a long battle with muscular dystrophy.
After John's death, the Club basically folded, the Club house was taken over by squatters / itinerant workers, with gear, records and photos lost.
Thanks to the dedication and efforts of a number of local families and individuals, along with the arrival of now club president, Neil Watts and his family from the powerful Orewa SLSC in Auckland, the club began to grow and succeed.
The Club is now stronger than ever with a new generation of members coming through.
HISTORY
Some great historical Photos of the club from the 1960's and 70's can be found here thanks to Russell Charters!
_Brochure 2019 JNR surf version.pdf