The lifeguard club is located in the heart of Waihī Beach and has been helping keep swimmers safe since 1936. It still plays a critical role in the community today as a base for summer patrols, base for Search & Rescue (SAR), training centre and community hub. Recent flood events and a report by GNS Science on sea-level rise and coastal flooding (inundation) has highlighted that the club is one of the most vulnerable to coastal inundation in the country.
Faced with this knowledge, in May 2023 the club reached out to Regional Council for technical advice and support. This led the club to apply for funding to support adaptation planning. This funding set in motion a series of workshops to produce a community-led adaptation plan that will help ensure the club is more resilient in the future.
Check out the brochure to learn about the journey this community group took to better understand the climate challenges they will face and what changes they can implement to ensure the delivery of their patrolling and SAR services.