Surf Life Saving New Zealand

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Inc.
AbbreviationSLSNZ
Formation1 March 1910; 114 years ago (1910-03-01)
TypeNGO
Legal statusIncorporated Society, Charity
PurposeTo protect our community in the water.
HeadquartersWellington
Region served
New Zealand
Membership
18 831
President
Marilyn Moffatt [1]
Main organ
Board of Directors [2]
Staff
46
WebsiteSLSNZ Website

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is the national association representing 74 Surf Life Saving Clubs in New Zealand.[3] The organisation's motto is 'In it for Life'. This refers to both the long relationship many members have with the organisation, as well as to the organisation's purpose of preventing drowning and injury, thereby saving lives.

Specific New Zealand beaches are patrolled by qualified Surf Lifeguards from mid October until April each year. Red and Yellow flags indicate that a beach is patrolled by Surf Lifeguards. The area of water in between these flags is designated as the safest place to swim on the beach, as well as showing where Surf Lifeguards are patrolling. It is widely publicised that beachgoers should "Swim Between the Flags" in order to be safe while swimming in the ocean.

Surf lifeguards are identifiable by their yellow shirts and red shorts. Surf Life Saving New Zealand is sponsored chiefly by BP, TSB, DHL and Lotto.

A Red-Yellow flag indicating a patrolled beach