NZ surf boats to Gallipoli on mission of peace and lifesaving

Ninety-five years after one of their founding fathers, Sir Bernard Freyberg, swam ashore in the Gulf of Saros to distract the defending Turkish forces, a group from Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club is heading to Gallipoli.

Thirteen members of the club, which is celebrating its centenary, are going to Turkey on Tuesday for 2 1/2 weeks to help local people start preparing for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in April 2015.

As part of those commemorations, 100 New Zealand and Australian surf boats will compete in a 100-kilometre race down the Dardanelles. Turkish teams will also be involved.

In the next five years, surf lifesaving clubs from New Zealand and Australia will travel to Turkey to teach locals surf lifesaving skills.

Arie Moore, club captain of the Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club, said it would be a special trip.

"We get to go over and teach other people how to compete in a sport that everyone in the team loves but we will also remember those from our club who served there."

A service will be held during the club's visit to commemorate the Lyall Bay members who lost their lives. "It's going to be quite moving for all of us," said team captain Dylan McKee.

The Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club has already sent over a surf boat, three skis and three boards, which will be donated to the Turkish people.

Sir Bernard was one of the first members of the Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his courage on the Somme in November 1916 and went on to serve as governor-general of New Zealand.

- © Fairfax NZ News