Karioitahi Beach is a black sand beach located in Franklin District, near Auckland, on the west coast of New Zealand.
It is a rugged and windswept environment, often used for beach activities such as surfing, fishing, horse riding, off-road motorcycling and, most notably, paragliding. This provides lifeguards with a large variety of potential hazards to mitigate and situations to deal with as detailed as the location for 3 Rescue of the Month awards from Surf Life Saving New Zealand in two seasons (2009/2010 & 2010/2011)[1]
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There appears to be some confusion about the spelling of Kariotahi. It has been rumoured that Karioitahi indeed the correct way. It is usually referred to in the media, and road name, as Karioitahi Beach.[2][3][4] However, it is also referred to as Kariotahi reasonably often as well.[5] The local surf club has adopted the spelling Kariaotahi.[6]
The local surf club, 'Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi' was founded in 1968 and has been voted Best Patrolled Beach in Northern Region for the 2003, 2005, 2006 & 2008 seasons.[7] Patrols operate on all weekends and public holidays from Labour Weekend in October to mid March/early April, with minimum patrolling hours being 11am-4pm Oct/Nov/March/April and 11am-5pm Dec/Jan/Feb.[8] Weekday patrols (10am-6pm) are run from mid December until late January.[9]
One of the members from the club, Chris Parker, won Surf Life Saving New Zealand Rescue Of The Year[10] and Northern Regional Lifeguard of the Year for the 2009/10 season.[11]
Surf Life Saving New Zealand awarded Rescue of the Month for February 2011 to a trio of Northern Region lifeguards teaching a school group about beach safety at Kariaotahi Beach when a fishing boat flipped in the surf 600 metres north of the clubhouse. They, with the assistance of the Kariaotahi Call Out Squad and other emergency services, successfully resuscitated one of the fisherman[12]
SLS Kariaotahi used to be identified at competitions by an orange and chocolate brown quarter-cap but has since adopted the colours of red, white and black which is in line with other sports teams from the region, such as the Counties-Manukau Steelers.
SLS Kariaotahi lifeguards actively compete in canoe racing and IRB racing which are team events. Both disciplines produced medal winning performances at the 2011 Northern Region District Championships held at Ruakaka[13]
The southern end of the beach and cliff, known as Maioro, is commonly used for by local paragliding schools for training beginner pilots. Qualified paraglider pilots are advised against flying in the area, thus leaving it safe and clear for beginners.