PATRICK FLYNN plumber and

Surf Lifesaver

Pat Flynn has been a passionate swimmer, surfer and lifeguard since his early teens. We chat with him about his dedication to decades on beach patrol and the importance of safety in the sea.

AUTHOR: JE T’AIME HAYR

Tell us about your plumbing career

I’ve been a plumber and gasfitter for about 20 years. I was a late entrant into the industry and only qualified at 44. It was a significant shift, but I needed a career change. So, when the opportunity came up to do my apprenticeship at my brother-in-law’s plumbing company, DMI Plumbing, I took it. Being an adult apprentice had its challenges, but was well worth it. In 2007, I became a Craftsman [Certifying] Plumber

& Gasfitter, and 10 years later, I established Flynn Plumbing & Gasfitting in Pukekohe with my son Chris.

Why did you get involved with surf lifesaving?

I’m a water rat and love to swim and surf, so in 1972, at age 14, I joined Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Club. I am passionate about educating people on how to keep safe in the sea and have been an active member ever since. I’m a familiar face on the beach and still volunteer as a Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service member at Port Waikato, meaning I do four patrols a year for an entire weekend. Surf Lifesaving New Zealand’s slogan is ‘In It For Life’, accurately reflecting my and the other volunteers’ passion for our work.

What does Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service entail?

On beach patrol, I focus on preventing people from getting into trouble. We take turns standing on the beach in our patrol uniform and closely watch people swimming between the flags and those that have strayed from the flag area.

We always have our fins, rescue tube and radio with us, and the tower guards call us when they see someone struggling in the water. We’ll whistle to attract their attention and get them to move back to the flag areas. If people are swimming further down the beach, we head across in the 4-wheel drive buggies, encouraging them to head back to the safest swimming area.

As mentioned, our goal is preventative, and we are trying to educate people. The west coast [of Auckland] is exceptionally rugged—a massive ocean of water and very changeable. It could be like a pond one day and a washing machine the next. At our local beach, the public is sensible. However, we can tell the people that have never swum at a west coast beach before, as they go out too far straight away and get into trouble.

Have you been involved in plumbing work on any surf lifesaving buildings?

Yes, five years ago, we built a new club facility and renovated our existing club facility as a combined build, and we did all the plumbing in both buildings. The community hub has a commercial kitchen and extensive bathrooms (nine toilets across the male and female bathrooms). The renovated surf club has three bunk rooms with 40 beds, nine showers, a huge bathroom and new first aid room, storage for surfboards and boats etc. It’s a great setup.

What have been your most significant rescues?

We’ve done quite a few rescues over the years. Most of the rescue missions we undertake are people swimming outside the patrol area—only by a few metres, so it’s a short burst to rescue them. I have also been in some very serious rock rescues. The southern end of Port Waikato is pretty rocky and people often fish off the rocks there. We have done multiple rescues from those rocks this year alone, having to race out there and get people into the IRB and back to safety.

Does there need to be more education and awareness around sea safety?

Yes, absolutely! Just look at the number of drownings every year—people need swimming skills. A big part of the problem is that many school pools have closed down, and children aren’t taught to swim at school, so parents have to pay for their kids’ swimming lessons, which not everyone can afford. And they shouldn’t have to; every child should be taught to swim at school.

How can people support surf lifesaving?

If people want to learn to become a lifeguard or donate their financial support, they can contact their local surf lifesaving club directly or visit www.surflifesaving.org.nz And please, do the lifeguards a favour—swim between the flags and stay in your depths!