United North Piha Lifeguard Service

United North Piha Lifeguard Service (UNPLS) is a volunteer surf lifesaving club based on Auckland's wild West Coast in New Zealand. It patrols North Piha Beach, described by the club as one of New Zealand's most challenging surf environments. The club was officially formed in 1973 through the amalgamation of two proud clubs: Eastern United and North Piha Surf Club. Each year, over 80 active lifeguards give up their personal time to patrol the beach, ensuring the safety of the public. The club's vision is to be respected as the leading surf lifeguard service in the world, and its mission focuses on providing exceptional lifeguarding services, demonstrating strong leadership, fostering camaraderie, developing skills, maintaining sustainable resources, promoting innovation, and supporting members and the wider community. Its values are integrity, innovation, leadership, responsibility and accountability, and fun, family, and friendship. The club colours are royal blue and gold, carried from its Eastern United roots. The club is located at 4 North Piha Road, Piha, Auckland, and can be contacted via secretary@unitednorthpiha.org.nz. It maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.

United North Piha Lifeguard Service (UNPLS) was officially formed in 1973 through the amalgamation of two clubs: Eastern United and North Piha Surf Club. North Piha Surf Club was established in 1951 and patrolled one of New Zealand's most powerful beaches. Its club colours were green and white, and its logo featured a penguin, a symbol fitting the West Coast conditions. By the 1970s, North Piha faced challenges with low membership. In a bold move, it became the first Auckland club to admit women as active members, with a small group of pioneering women forming the backbone of patrols leading up to the amalgamation. Eastern United Surf Club began life as Browns Bay SLSC, founded by Alan Gardner in 1933. After expanding patrols to nearby Torbay, the club changed its name to Eastern United in 1934. It was known for strong competition success in the 1950s and 60s, wearing yellow and blue colours with a bright yellow cap with a blue stripe. In the 1970s, Eastern United faced the loss of its clubrooms due to council changes. Although relocating to Muriwai was considered, the decision was made to merge with North Piha, ensuring both clubs' futures. In 1973, the two clubs officially joined forces, creating United North Piha Lifeguard Service. The merger solved Eastern United's need for a new home and North Piha's need for more members, bringing together a new generation of surf lifeguards. Naming the new club took plenty of discussion, but "United North Piha" was eventually agreed upon. Although some members moved to other clubs like Piha and Muriwai, the new club continued to grow. Today, UNPLS is a volunteer surf lifesaving club based on Auckland's West Coast, patrolling North Piha Beach. Each year, over 80 active lifeguards give up their personal time to patrol the beach, ensuring the safety of the public. The club's vision is to be respected as the leading surf lifeguard service in the world.

• 1973

  Eastern United and North Piha Surf Club amalgamate to form United North Piha Lifeguard Service.

• 1951

  North Piha Surf Club established.

• 1934

  Browns Bay SLSC renamed Eastern United after expanding patrols to Torbay.

• 1933

  Browns Bay SLSC founded by Alan Gardner.

Volunteer surf lifesaving club committed to saving lives and serving the community on Auckland's West Coast.

1. 1United North Piha Lifeguard Serviceunitednorthpiha.fmweb.nz
2. 2Our Storyunitednorthpiha.fmweb.nz
3. 3Our Clubunitednorthpiha.fmweb.nz
4. 4Wikidatawikidata.org