History
In the early years of the 20th century, the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association (NZASA) controlled the brief amounts of life saving activity by providing resuscitation methods and demonstrations at swimming club carnivals. The next step occurred when the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) was formed and enforced with a conference off all head centres in 1912 called by Canterbury. The RLSS was established in Christchurch and remains there to this day.
The first surf clubs began in the years 1909-1910 leading of with: Castlecliff (Wanganui), Lyall Bay (Wellington), New Brighton (Christchurch) and Worser Bay Wellington. Within the next few years other clubs started forming around five regions: Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne/Napier/New Plymouth and Wanganui.
Soon after the clubs were formed, rivalry began to take place which created the forming of competition between the clubs and regions. By early 1912 competitions were being organised by Wellington's Maranui Club, with male members competing in squads of 8. The competitions consisted of a land drill and 'reel test'. The first national champs where clubs were able to compete was held in 1922.
Surf Life Saving in New Zealand continues to grow in size and there are now around 73 affiliated surf clubs.
Read more about this topic: Surf Life Saving New Zealand
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