2003 Greg McClurg

Greg joined as a ‘nipper’ in 1959.  The McClurg family has had a long association with Taylors and his father (Maurice) introduced him to the club while he was a vice-president.  Older brother Wayne and older sisters Dianne and Sandra were both members.  Younger brothers Malcolm and Nigel also joined and eventually sons Gareth and Tim became members.

Greg obtained his Surf Bronze in March 1963 and participated in many team events.  He was a member of the March Past Team which won the NZ tile in 1977.  He obtained his SLSNZ Instructors Certificate in 1974 whilst a member of Ocean Beach/Kiwi Surf Life Saving Club.

Greg’s major and impressive contribution to Taylors has been in fundraising, patrolling and management.

  • 1977-1982 Committee
  • 1977-1991 Patrol Captain – Winner of 1983 Patrol Team of Year.
  • 1977-1985 Team Manager at National and South Island Championships
  • Fundraising – Member of Bottle Drive and Coal Bagging teams for 6 years plus from 6 years of Friday night meat raffles at local hotels.  In addition Greg secured significant sponsorships for IRB’s canoes, double skis and Malibu boards.
  • Towed gear trailer to and from Dunedin South Island Championships 13 years and to National Championships – 41 years
  • 1987-1989 vice-president (1989 acting president)
  • President 1990-1992
  • 1991-1992 75th Jubilee Committee.

Greg has also been a member of other NZ Clubs, specifically Worser Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Ocean Beach/Kiwi Surf Life Saving Club.  At Ocean Beach/Kiwi Surf Life Saving Club he was chief instructor, team manager and chairman.  Whilst he was in the Hawkes Bay, he was manager of Hawkes Bay Representative Teams and secretary of the Association.

Greg returned to Christchurch in 1976 and contributed significantly to the Canterbury Surf Life Saving Association.  Greg was secretary (4 years), team manager (8 years), heavily involved in fund raising (1977-2013) specifically the Golf Pro – Am’s, meat raffles, Door to Door Collection and introduced and serviced weekly 22 Ticket machines at 22 taverns which raised in excess $150,000.00.  He was also a beach announcer and commentator at carnivals (36 years), has been a member and chair of NZ Championships held in Christchurch.

In addition, he has been full time coordinator for School Beach Education and delivered daily summer beach and surf reports to Radio ZB for 25 years. Greg was Canterbury SLSA vice president (1989-1992) and president (1992-1995).

Greg has a SLS Canterbury Service Award, Distinguished Service Award and Life Membership.

Greg’s contribution to SLS New Zealand is also impressive.  He was supported to review other countries’ sponsorship and fund raising programmes, was SLSNZ Publicity and Fundraising Officer (8 years) and raised a significant amount of money for a variety of SLSNZ activities.  He was also an Event Manager for Trans-Tasman Tests at Mt Maunganui (1985) and Taylors Mistake (1989).  He also was Convener and Founder of 1st NZ Masters Competition held at Taylors Mistake in 1990.

He has been a NZ Team Manager to the World Championships – Japan (1992) and in 1993 was NZ Team Manager for the Trans-Tasman Test and this was followed by being NZ Team Manager for the World Champs – Wales and England, Newquay Beach.

Greg has a NZ Service Award (1988), a Distinguished Award (1994) and was made a Life Member in 2010 plus in 2018 was Awarded Long Term Official Award.  Greg has also contributed to 4 World Surf Lifesaving Championships as an event organizer and commentator.