This photo shows Foxton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers Holly, Kelsey and Thomas conducting a rescue drill just beyond the waves at Foxton Beach. In another IRB was Jacob Brookie, a photographer using a vintage 1950s Agfa Silette camera. A freak wave had already wet the lens of the Silette, and the lens was a bit damp despite Jacob’s best efforts which explains the slight lack of focus in this image!

The 2023/2024 Foxton Beach swimming season was plagued by bluebottle jellies- lifeguards on the observation deck saw huge ‘mats’ of them out at sea. There were a few painful stings felt by swimmers onshore, but no emergencies as a result. 

This photo was taken as part of a series about Foxton’s volunteers, and many photos were published in the Horowhenua Chronicle.   

This photograph was taken by local photographer Jacob Brookie in March 2023 from the dune track leading from the beach carpark down to the sea. It is of the  Waitārere Beach Surf Life Saving Community Facility under construction and the completed building will be the home to the local surf lifesaving clubrooms which can accommodate up to 200 people and host more training sessions. At the time of writing, it will be ready for the 2023/2024 summer season.

Jacob used a 1960 Agfa Flexilette camera to take this photograph. The Flexilette was an unusual camera as it was a twin lensed design built to take 35mm film- not many of these designs have been made! It wasn't all that popular in its day but still takes nice photographs.

Drowning has claimed far too many lives in Aotearoa. Our wild beaches and network of rivers proved so fatal in the 19th century that drowning was referred to as 'The New Zealand Death'. In the 1950s things didn't seem to be that much better, with public information campaigns reminding parents that a child died by drowning every week.

This slide was produced by the 'National Prevent Drowning Committee' which worked with the Internal Affairs Department. Their mascot was an owl called Ruru who urged the public to 'Learn Water Wisdom'. In an effort to reach Maori some of Ruru's messages were printed in Te Reo. 

The presence of Ruru dates this slide to the 1950s- as does the different design of the surf lifesavers' flags. This particular slide was shown in Paraparaumu- but with Foxton being a seaside town it is almost certain that it would have been screened in Horowhenua just in time for summer. 

If you are interested in reading more about Ruru's campaigns you can read a thesis here 

 https://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10063/2981/thesis.pdf?sequence=2 

Written on back (of both photos) with blue ballpoint pen: “Shannon Swimming Club”

Shannon Swimming Club c.1970. This photograph shows a group of successful swimmers with a trophy. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Philip Rosanoski, Manu Peni, Joe Winiata, Ross Robertson, and Mavis Vinsen.

1 B&W photo print (plus copy)

See also s2002.042.0001b

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Shannon Swimming Club”

Shannon Swimming Club c.1970. This photograph shows a group of successful swimmers with a trophy. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Philip Rosanoski, Manu Peni, Joe Winiata, Ross Robertson and Mavis Vinsen. The child standing against the building is Robin Sayer.

1 B&W photo print (plus copy)

See also s2002.042.0001a

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Swimming”

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “(3) 6795 – L to R: Ross Robertson, Manu Peni, Phillip Rosanoski, Joe Winiata.”

Shannon Swimming Club swimmers with a trophy, c.1970. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Ross Robertson, Manu Peni, Philip Rosanoski, Joe Winiata.

1 Colour photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Colour photograph.

Midwinter swim at Foxton Beach in 1990s. Judith Keall(MP) watches Basil Vertongen being manhandled by unamed swimmer.

Colour photograph.

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95 FM announcer Terry Watt with microphone in his hand at the Foxton Beach Polar swim on 20 June 1999

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Participants line up prior to entering the water at the Foxton Beach Polar swim 20th June 1999

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Participants leaving the water at the Foxton Beach Polar Swim on 20 June 1999

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Children enjoying the water at the Shannon School baths.

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Children enjoying the water at the Shannon School baths.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Children awaiting their turn on the new inflatable toys at the Horowhenua Aquatic Centre

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Children enjoying the water at the Foxton Swimming pool on 11th March 2000

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Fun on the inflatables for children at the Horowhenua Aquatic Centre in Levin on 11March 2000

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Children at the Horowhenua Aquatic Centre on 11th March 2000

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Bathers at Foxton Beach on 11th March 2000

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Waiting for race time at the Manawatu Centre League Meet held in the Horowhenua Aquatic Centre, Levin on 10th July 1999

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Getting ready to race – Manawatu Swim Centre League Meet held at the Horowhenua Aquatic Centre, Levin on 10th July 1999

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They’re off! Swimmers starting their race at the Manawatu Swim Centre League meet held at the Horowhenua Aquatic Centre, Levin on 10th July 1999

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Children at the Foxton Swimming Pool on 11th March 2000

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Children enjoying the water at the Shannon School baths.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Printed bottom of original, as caption: “Intereseted spectators.”

Message handwritten across top of original photo is almost unreadable and appears incomplete” .... [will write] you after the …. & tell you all the news.”

A very large crowd gathered around the edge of the pool during the opening of the Coronation Baths, Levin, 1911. At one the end of the pool is a corrugated iron shelter. In the background are a number of private residences.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Handwritten message at top: “Printed caption at bottom – Interested spectators.”

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Penciled on back: “g eye”

A crowd of youths watches someone dive into the pool at the opening of the Coronation Pool, Levin, 1911. Behind the spectators are corrugated iron shelters and a fence.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

The start of the 25 yards race for boys during the opening of the Coronation Pool, Levin, 1911. This photograph shows a crowd watching as a number of boys dive into the water.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0246a)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Typed on piece of paper glued to back - Coronation Baths. Opening Day of the Levin Coronation Public Swimming Baths in 1911. Joseph Scott first into the baths. Fully dressed with lace-up boots. [added with blue ballpoint pen]

The crowd watches the first swimmer enter the water during the opening of the Coronation Pool, Levin in 1911. While some swimmers have already entered the pool others are taking off their clothing. The caption at the bottom of the photograph reads “First in bath for Mayors Prize, winner J Scott”.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0246b)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Penciled on back: “Chron. Sup. 81 P 66.”

A large number of children in and around the Levin Swimming Pool, in the late 1960s.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

People in and around the Levin Swimming Pool, during the early 1970’s. This photograph looks towards the south eastern corner of the pool. The shallow end of the pool was the south end.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0248a)

See also 2000.543.0105 and 2000.543.0106

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

People in and around the Levin Swimming Pool, Levin, early 1970’s. Looking north east this photograph shows a number of houses on the eastern side of Salisbury Street.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0248b)

See also 2000.543.0105 and 2000.543.0106

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Typed on piece of paper glued to back: “Bathing Belles.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Unidentified.”

Stamped on back with black ink – Horowhenua Historical Society.

Titled “Bathing Belles” this photograph shows three unidentified women standing in the sea with the water flowing around their ankles.

1 Colour photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”