Sand storm engulfs club

Joanna Davies | 28th January 2010

At one of the country's most dangerous beaches, surf lifesavers find their own clubrooms are under threat. But not from the sea, writes Joanna Davies.

A towering sand dune is creeping up to the back door of Muriwai Surf Life Saving clubhouse. The building, parts of which are 40 years old, is too small for the 130 lifeguards, 180 nippers and 150 associate members who volunteer at the club every summer.

Club chairman Tim Jago watches the dunes nervously. "They're moving back at a rate of 1.7m a year, and now we're only 12m from the edge of the dune."

A bit further down the beach, the club's watchtower is perched perilously on the sand.

"Every four years we have to move it back a bit because it falls down with the dune erosion," says Mr Jago.

After discussions with Auckland Regional Council, the club agreed in 2008 to swap the site for land 300m up the beach.

Mr Jago says the club needs the consent to apply for funds. "The new building will cost $4 million to build, but it's going to include club facilities, a hall for the community and classrooms. We've already spent $400,000 on architects and engineers and other reports."

He says more and more people use the beach every year, and the club needs the space to store its equipment.

"Muriwai is one of the most popular beaches for school groups to come [to] and learn about water safety."

He says the club is working with other local groups to use the centre. "We've been talking with the fishing club and the art groups. There could be eight other users making use of the building, and we hope that will help when we apply for funding."

Mr Jago says some members of the community will have issues with a new building. "You can't please everyone. But from the new site, you can't even see a house because of the trees on one side."

The new building will stand between the campground and one edge of the golf course. Rodney District Council spokesman Mike Isle says the club's application will be processed speedily. "We should have some news for the club within the next fortnight."

Dangerous

Muriwai is the second most dangerous beach in the country, based on rescue figures released late last year by Surf Life Saving NZ.

Piha tops the list, with 1416 rescues from 2000-08 and 180 rescues in the 2007-08 summer.

Muriwai lifesavers have made 1219 rescues since 2000, 132 in 2007-08, well ahead of third-placed Mt Maunganui with 830 rescues, or 69 in 2007-08.

Other beaches in the top 10 include Mangawhai Heads at No 6 with 511 rescues from 2000-08, and 50 in 2007-08. Bethells/Te Henga stands at No 7 with 503 rescues from 2000-08 and 30 in 2007-08.