The premier National trophy “The Nelson Shield” which was for team rescue with the reel and line was competed for on the Napier beach in 1915.

During the Second World War, it seems that most clubs throughout the country went into temporary recess due to the shortage of young men.

In 1949, Maurice Munro returned to Napier from New Plymouth where had become involved in Life Saving and formed a group with six high school boys who had just qualified for the Royal Life Saving Society bronze medallion in February, 1949.  These boys were Brian Athea (deceased), Len Amor, Robin Graham, Ralph Duley, Peter Mardon, and Alan Gempton.  Training was carried out during the winter months and the team qualified for their surf award in November 1949 and joined up with the Te Awa Swimming and Lifesaving Club.

A shed was obtained through the city council and placed at the southern end of the Marine Parade, where the new public conveniences are now located.  That section of beach was patrolled each weekend over the summer of 1949-1950 and several rescues carried out.

In March 1950, Maurice and the six boys travelled to Wellington and competed in the National Surf Champs at Lyal Bay where they made the semi finals in the 4-man event and entered most events.

During the winter of 1950, an enthusiastic group of people formed a new club and called it Pacific Swimming and Surf Life Saving Club.  Maurice and the team of six switched over to the new club for the reasons which are not clear.

Homemade surf ski, Pacific Beach, 1951 (standing left to right: Jim Smith, ken Pirie, Alan Gempton, Derek Atkinson who built ski, Peter Mardon; kneeling: Lewis Joyce)

The club reel and equipment were housed in a disused shed approximately where the skating rink is now.  This location was not ideal as most people swam in the area close to the Marine Parade baths.   Permission was obtained from the city council to use an old storeroom under the Tom Parker Fountain which unfortunately was filled have way up with shingle washed in by the sea.  Fortunately the number of members and supporters had increased considerably for over the next few years the club members put in many hours of voluntary labour establishing themselves there.  This was with the assistance of Russell Shipman, drainlayer, who supplied materials and labour.

1956 Hawke's Bay Champs, Waimarama (standing left to right: Maurice Munro, Alan Gempton, Ralph Duley, John Boyd, John Baker; kneeling left to right: Derick Bastion, Dennis Little, Charley Mardon, Keith Hancox)
 
 

1956 Hawke's Bay Champs, Waimarama, (left to right: Charley Mardon, Ken Pirie, Ralph Duley, John Baker, Alan Gempton, Dennis Little, John Boyd, Keith Hancox, Derick Bastion)
 
 

The surf club continued as part of the Pacific Swimming Club until 1958 when it was mutually agreed that the surf lifesaving activities would be more effectively managed if a separate club was formed.  Accordingly, the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club was formed with Mr. W. (Bill) Gorley as chairman.

1959 Centennial Carnival (standing left to right: Doreen McMann, Pat McKeras, Joan Ronald; patiant: Judith Gempton)

For more then 15 years the club continued to use the Tom Parker Fountain premises but on many occasions leakage from the fountain and flooding from exceptionally high seas made conditions very unpleasant and in 1962 the clubrooms were completely flooded out and considerable damage incurred to gear and equipment.

As far back as 1958, discussions began with the Napier City Council regarding the site for a new clubhouse.  The main problem was finance since the area on the Marine Parade is regarded as a feature spot in Napier and a prestige building would be required.

Fund raising had been gong on mainly in the form of pub raffles organised and run by Joe Vivian and Charley Mardon assisted by a small group of club members.  By 1971 the club has raised $17,000 and a loan of $15,000 had been arranged at 7.5 and 8% interest--this loan was guaranteed by the city council.  The shell of the clubhouse was built by Durney Construction for $32,000.  Over the next few years ongoing fund raising enabled the interior fittings like plumbing, electrical, ceilings, etc. to be completed.  The finished building was opened on (year unknown).

The club operated very efficiently through the 1970s with several rescue reels and a couple of privately owned skis and boards housed in the small gear shed next to he changing rooms but pressure from an ever growing membership and the increase of craft events at carnivals it became necessary to provide more space for craft and equipment so in 1982-83 a fund raising campaign was organised with Edwin Brown as chairman and the gear shed on the northern end of the building was built at a cost of $30,000.

As rescue methods and competitions and training evolved more and more around craft, the disadvantage of not always being able to launch craft off the Napier beach became more of a problem so with the help of grants from Napier City Council, Eastern and Central Savings Bank, and Lottery Board, a shed was built on the inner harbour at Meeanee Quay.  This shed has since been extended in 2001 and hopefully will serve the club well for many years to come.

The latest improvements to the clubhouse were motivated by several forces.
A. To provide internal access to the basement so it can be better utilised for gear repairs, gymnasium, storage, and safer security. 
B.  To provide an office to house secretarial equipment and records.
C.  To bring the facility up to today’s building regulations which require 1) improved fire safety, alarms, and emergency egress and 2) facilities for disabled persons, water closet, shower, and lift.
D.  To upgrade the first-aid room
E.  To upgrade the kitchen
F.  To extend the balcony and reviewing deck
G.  To improve the ladies changing rooms and showers. 

These cover the early days and the story of the building development over 50 odd years but there is another history, much more important of the hundreds of members who have passed through the club and have contributed in so many ways to our community.

Alan Gempton
5 May, 2002