Young Lifeguards to the Rescue

Three of our young lifeguards – Sam Clark, Ryan Teixeira and Hannah Edwards – were put to the test last week while on school camp in Whangamata.

The group were kayaking between Whenuakura and Hauturu Islands when Papamoa College Deputy Principal Jane Townsend says she spotted a man in the water who didn't appear to be able to swim and was separated from his kayak.

“Ryan and Sam were in a double kayak and they raced towards the man while I retrieved his kayak. Ryan got in the water and held him up while Luke MacFarlane (another teacher) and Sam pulled him onto the double kayak with him. Sam then paddled the tourist to safety with Ryan in support in the man’s kayak. Lifeguard Hannah Edwards also assisted by leading the rest of the class to the island as they were confused and thought we were racing as they hadn’t seen the man and his companions in trouble. The other paddlers with the man were too weak to paddle, so I towed them into shore and rung the kayak company. I was extremely proud of these young men!”

The Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club is also very proud of these young lifeguards who really stepped up when it counted.