Story: Lifesaving and surfing

Playing in the surf

New Zealand’s long, accessible coastline is one reason why swimming in the sea is popular. This scene at Piha, probably dating from the 1950s, evokes familiar memories for many New Zealanders.

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New Zealand Herald

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How to cite this page

Nancy Swarbrick, Lifesaving and surfing – Origins of surf lifesaving, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7355/playing-in-the-surf (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 2 March 2009.