My name is Zoe Winter, I’m 16 years old and I live in Tairua. I’m currently in year 12 at Hauraki Plains College and I am a lifeguard at Tairua Beach.
My beach safety journey began when I joined our three-week summer junior surf program at around 10 years old, encouraged by my parents. The program challenged me physically and mentally, leading me to start rookie lifeguard training at 13. I then earned my lifeguard award in 2022, which has opened many new opportunities for me.
Since earning my award, I’ve attended various surf camps involving other clubs, such as junior and intermediate surf camps, and made new friends from new clubs. I have completed my surf level first aid and am currently working towards my instructor’s award. I became a lifeguard to promote beach safety and help people in my community with my friends. Now, I help instruct the junior surf program and patrol our beach during the summer.
A significant highlight of my lifeguarding experience has been joining the 2024 Huntington Exchange Team. Our beach partners with Piha to spend two weeks in California patrolling Huntington Beach. Being part of this team has pushed me both physically and mentally. We have frequent training camps at the surf club and must run 5km and swim 400m within certain times. Because of this requirement, I’ve taken up running and swimming regularly. Last year, I could only run 2km without walking, but since then, I’ve completed three half marathons! This achievement started with joining the junior surf program at age 10, and I’m very proud of my progress.
Beyond lifeguarding, I am involved in youth search and rescue (YSAR) and I participate in school sports such as football, netball and touch rugby. I’m on the Hauraki First XI girls football team, and I umpire and play netball, as well as referee and play touch rugby. During summer, I patrol and instruct at the beach, and in winter, I navigate and camp in the bush with YSAR. Through YSAR, I completed a 24-hour solo in the bush, earned my Level 2 first aid, and can confidently use GPS, radio, as well as map and compass, for navigation. YSAR is a three-year program with monthly camps in the Kaimai range and weekly theory lessons. Last year, I received the Best Overall award for YSAR.
Combining my lifeguarding fitness and navigation skills, I have also taken up adventure racing, which complements my abilities well. One of my biggest fears is not knowing what to do in an emergency, but my experiences in lifeguarding and YSAR have prepared me for a wide range of situations. If someone is unsure about getting into lifeguarding, my biggest piece of advice would be to just get into it. It’s challenging but incredibly rewarding, and you never know where it might take you.
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