Re-Belles with a cause

The newly formed Re-Belles is a collective of wāhine lifeguards over 50 years of age, who are challenging traditions, uniting women and inspiring the next generation of surf life savers.

words KAREN CLARKSON photos JAMIE TROUGHTON

Pictured above: Ali McMaster, Joanne Miller, Naomi Davoren, Karyn Leach, Sandra Boubee, Karen Giles, Michelle Kalma, Catriona Manning and Kate Morley.

In the rolling surf of Mount Maunganui, a group of lifeguards are redefining what it means to compete in surf sports, proving that age is no barrier to strength, endurance, and camaraderie.

Founded by Omanu Surf Club member Sandra Boubee, an ironwoman, surf lifesaving competitor, and teacher at Ōtūmoetai College, the Re-Belles were formed out of a desire to inspire women to keep moving, keep connected, and compete well beyond the age when most athletes retire from competitive surf sports.

Historically, surf lifesaving has been steeped in masculine culture. While women have played crucial roles –stepping up for rescues during wartime and patrolling beaches since the 1950s – their competitive opportunities have been limited. Surf lifesaving competitions often require competitors to form a team from their club only, meaning that women in the veterans category (49+), often the sole competitors in their age group from their club, have little chance to participate.

Boubee, who has moved between Pāpāmoa and Omanu clubs just to continue competing, sees the regulations for team events as a major barrier for female lifeguards.

“We are seeing one or two veteran women competing at regionals and nationals in the individual pursuits, but you need a minimum of three to enter water events and four for beach relays,” she says.

Above: Naomi Davoren.

Alongside fellow lifeguards Trish Mau and Claire Edmonds, Boubee saw the appetite for female lifeguards to stay active on the water, train with women from other clubs and have the opportunity to enter more competitions.

Determined to change the status quo, last year she approached the organisers of the Mount Monster; one of New Zealand’s most prestigious endurance events that allows composite teams (amalgam of two or more clubs), and successfully lobbied for the creation of a veteran women’s team category. With this, the Re-Belles was officially born; as was their training schedule to prepare for the gruelling endurance event consisting of a 12-kilometre surf ski, a five-kilometre soft sand run, a 1.5-kilometre ocean swim, and a six-kilometre board paddle.

Above: Sandra Boubee.

Stronger together

In the lead-up to the competition, the Re-Belles held fortnightly training camps bringing together 16 women aged 51 and over, with the oldest competitor aged 66. Some were seasoned athletes; others had never entered a surf sports event before. What united them was a shared passion for the ocean, lifeguarding and a commitment to pushing their limits together.

“For many of us, it was a big transition,” says Karyn Leach of Pāpāmoa Surf Club. “I’m a confident swimmer in the pool, but out in the ocean navigating the conditions is a whole different challenge. Jumping off the end of Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) for the swim leg was something I never thought I’d do. But the support and encouragement of the group made it possible.”

Trish Mau, a long-time Omanu lifeguard and swim instructor, echoes this sentiment. “A mature post-menopause body is very different from a 35-year-old one. We learned to work smarter, not harder. Our training wasn’t just about endurance – it was about using the wisdom of our years and adapting.”

On race day last December, the four Re-Belle’s teams all placed on the podium in their category, with their first two teams finishing ahead of the under 19’s teams – proving that female lifeguards 49+ have the grit and ability to take on the tough event.

“People from within our clubs and the wider surf lifesaving community were so inspired,” says Boubee. “We had veteran men asking, ‘How were you allowed to enter?’ And some of the under 19s commented that they had to paddle harder on the water because the ‘old ladies’ were catching them,” she laughs.

Building a lasting legacy

What started as a small group training for a single event has grown into something bigger with goals to enter more events in 2025. The Re-Belles are now 18 members strong with lifeguards from Whakatāne to Waihī joining their ranks.

“At the end of the day, we all patrol the same stretch of coastline,” says Boubee. “Building these relationships only makes us stronger and the goal is to keep growing and inspire other regions to follow suit.”

To keep the momentum going, the group hosts regular Sunday training sessions, paddling around Motuotau (Rabbit) Island or running beach drills.

“You have to keep moving at this age,” says Mau. “And every time we’re out there, we’re not just training – we’re learning. Conditions, tides, waves, they’re always changing. That knowledge makes us better lifeguards.”

The Surf Life Saving New Zealand motto is ‘In it for Life’ and the Re-Belles are evidence of that.

“Women over 50 often feel that competition doesn't cater for them,” says Boubee. “But we’re proving otherwise. There’s strength in our numbers, in experience, in resilience. We are reminding lifeguards across New Zealand that they can compete at any age. And when young women see us out there, they see a future for themselves, too.”

The group is calling on more event organisers to remove barriers to entry by allowing composite teams, to allow more veteran competitors to take part.

“If you make space for us, we will show up,” Boubee says. And they’re calling on more women, whether they’re lifeguards, athletes, ocean-swimmers or simply looking for a new challenge, to join them.

“This is about physical health, mental health, community, and connection,” says Boubee. “Whatever your background, whatever your story, there’s a place for you in this movement.”

As they continue to train together and advocate for change, the Re-Belles are proof that the ocean belongs to everyone, at any age.