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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Skywatch Friday, making our beaches safe,





http://skyley.blogspot.com/
This is our beautiful summer sky, and hordes of families head to the beach. But some are working, many of them are volunteers, to make sure the beach is safe for us.



Hurray, Summer is here, the lifeguards are officially at the beach to rescue you if you get into trouble.

http://www.slsnz.org.nz/NationalJandalDay/Front/Front.aspx?ID=9939

Jandal is a hybrid word in New Zealand for Japanese Sandals, and is very popular and well loved that the Jandal is a national Icon.

Three summers ago, they sold key chains which I still use for my car. It's bright red and yellow means it is easy to locate, and at the right size too.

My students were pumping up these inflatables and emphasized to me that it is not meant to be a flotation devise. It is a toy.

My colleagues J and A both have children who are volunteer life guards.

Event organiser Monique Caddy said about 600 businesses and 180 schools nationwide are officially supporting National Jandal Day.

Last Friday, my school joined 180 schools, children and staff were encouraged to wear jandals and donate a gold coin to support the lifeguards.

"Jandals are iconic of the Kiwi summer and preferred by the lifeguards, so it seemed a natural fit."

The annual appeal aims to raise $450,000 to go towards rescue equipment and to help educate the community about water safety.

New Zealand has a drowning rate per capita which is twice that of Australia. Every year, about 1420 people are saved by lifeguards from 73 clubs around the country. The lifeguards patrol 15,000km of coastline for nearly 200,000 hours every summer.

This year's appeal comes 100 years after the first lifesaving clubs were formed at Lyall Bay in Wellington and New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.

17 comments:

Windsmoke. said...

Australian and New Zealand lifesavers do a fantastic job during the summer months keeping people out trouble in the surf and everybody should listen to what they say.

George said...

I think it's wonderful that the lifesavers get so much support. They provide a valuable service, not only in New Zealand but around the world. God Bless Them.

Jim said...

Good post.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

SquirrelQueen said...

Beautiful photos Ann.
This sounds like a wonderful program, it is good that it gets so much support. I hope the fund raiser is very successful.

joo said...

Lucky you Ann - winter is here!
Lovely photos:)

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a great idea to raise money for this! I don't think we do anything like this here. I love the giant inflatible one! We call them flip-flops, because when you walk, they flip on and off!!

eileeninmd said...

Summer already, lucky you! Enjoy your beach and pretty skies.

Kim, USA said...

Wow lucky you it's summer down there. Very nice to learn that many loves to volunteer for a good cause. Happy weekend!
My Sky

Indrani said...

A noble job. Great post.

Wanda said...

Love your cheery and bright SWF. I love the flowers and the flip flops.

lina@women's perspectives said...

Enjoy your summer, Ann...
Thanks to all lifesavers at beaches :)

Rajesh said...

Great stuff.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

What a great idea, Ann. Lifeguards do so much good--and they need the proper equipment in order to keep people safe. Jandal Day is a great way to raise money for them... How special!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Lara said...

wonderful people! they should be helped themselves in order to keep performing such a great job!

Kristin said...

Beautiful skies you have there. What a creative shot for the second. Unique float. Have fun! Have a nice day.

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