The wild, black sand beach at Te Henga may be one of West Auckland’s most stunning. However, with unpredictable currents and big surf, it’s also one of the most dangerous. Since 1958, the fantastic volunteer team of lifeguards at Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving Patrol have helped keep beachgoers safe.
‘Our mission is to ensure the safety of the public visiting the Bethells Beach area through vigilant patrols and proactive lifesaving measures,’ declares Club President Daniel Harvey. He adds that last season, which extends from Labour Day to Anzac Day weekends, lifeguards volunteered over 4.700 hours, made 25 rescues and engaged in preventive actions involving more than 6,000 people visiting the beach. Alongside the strong senior lifeguard membership, the junior surf programme continues to thrive with over 100 members aged 5-13 developing essential surf and beach safety skills.
The outstanding work of the Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving Patrol was recently recognised at the 2025 Surf Lifesaving Northern Region Regional Awards of Excellence. The team took out most of the lifesaving awards, including Volunteer of the Year, Instructor of the Year, Lifeguard of the Year and the prestigious Rescue of the Year. What a fantastic achievement!
However, Daniel advises that the terrain around Bethells Beach and Lake Wainamu has changed dramatically since the 2023 Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. ‘Access to the beach has become increasingly challenging, as we lost direct flat access to the lifesaving tower on the beach,’ reports Daniel. Instead, the team has had to try crossing the creek or use a specially created access way through the dunes, but this is becoming increasingly challenging.
In the last major weather event, the latest access way was destroyed again, washed away by the torrents of water coming down the estuary. ‘It’s much more difficult for our vehicles to safely tow things up and down the beach, especially the rescue crafts and boats,’ Daniel advises. Vehicles have had to navigate saltwater and rugged sand terrain, leading to ongoing issues with corrosion and frequent and expensive maintenance and replacement costs.
What the lifesaving patrol needed was a tractor. ‘Several patrolled beaches have purchased tractors to enable safer transportation of lifesaving equipment and increase the life of other vehicles,’ says Daniel.
The team applied to the Your West Support Fund and received a much-needed $20,000 contribution to the costs of a tractor. The new tractor has already made a difference, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of lifesaving equipment at Te Henga.
‘Thanks in part to the Your West Support Fund, we can continue doing what we do best, ensuring the safety of visitors to our beautiful Bethells Beach,’ Daniel asserts, adding that the team is very grateful for the support.
