Lifeguards hit streets for Jandal Day | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Hawke's Bay's surf lifeguards will swap the shingle and sands of the beaches for the pavement of city streets today as part of New Zealand Surf Lifesaving's national appeal.

But they will retain their beach footwear to highlight what has become Jandal Day.

Surf Lifesavings' programmes and services manager Brett Sullivan said the annual appeal was "crucial" as the volunteer organisation received only limited funding from central government and relied on grants, corporate sponsorship and donations from the public. Funds were primarily ear-marked for lifeguard training, to increase patrols and to purchase new equipment.

Mr Sullivan said the equation was a simple one - money collected would save lives.

"Our beaches are our favourite playground, yet we have almost double the drowning rate of Australia," he said. "Drowning is the third highest cause of unintentional death in New Zealand."

Mr Sullivan said the actions of lifeguards touched the lives of thousands of Kiwis every year.

Hawke's Bay Jandal Day co-ordinator Bronwyn Harman said last summer in the Bay lifeguards carried out 52 rescues, were involved in 14 searches and performed 115 first aid responses. There were also 7553 "preventative actions" advising swimmers of dangers and providing assistance.

Across the beaches of Waimarama, Ocean Beach, Westshore and Pacific (Marine Parade) volunteer lifeguards spent 13,048 hours on patrol. Just over 60 per cent of the region's lifeguards are aged between 14 and 20, and clubs were on the lookout for people keen to join the patrols.

But today, armed with buckets, they will be on the lookout for much-needed donations.