Trust Waikato Raglan Surf Lifesaving - History Trust Waikato Raglan Surf Life Saving Club started back in 1972 when a group of enthusiastic members decided to patrol the Kopua beach.   In July 1973 the Raglan Surf Life saving Patrol was formed and the initial President was Ces Gaukrodger. By February 1974 they has 17 qualified members and 2 instructors. In those days they patrolled from a tent erected each day on the beach. The equipment was stored in a shed at the wharf and had to be transported to the beach, an onerous task made more difficult when you consider at that time the Wainui reserve was farmland and equipment had to be transported down Bryant home track or 3 km along the beach.   In 1979, before the development of the Wainui Reserve the club erected premises on reserve land adjacent to the harbour entrance. While not the most appropriate location from which to patrol the beach many a boatie can be thankful for the clubs location, as they were able to respond quickly to incidents on the bar during this time.   With the development of the Wainui Reserve it was recognised that in time the surf life saving club would need to relocate and during the planning stage consent was granted for a building to be erected on the reserve.   In 2001, with erosion occurring on the beach to the extent that at high tide it was not possible to get down the beach due to rock being uncovered a decision was made to begin the relocation of the club and design work and fundraising began.   Subsequently the official opening of the new club was held in October 2002 and the Mayor of Waikato District Council, Mr Peter Harris, officially declared the clubrooms open.   Raglan was originally named Putotoe. Probably by the Tainui people when they first settled around the Whaingaroa Harbour. It is said it was so named due to the large amount of toetoe that grew in the area. The early Europeans new the town as Whangaroa but it was later changed to Whaingaroa to avoid confusion with a town of the same name in Northland. In 1855 it was named Raglan after the officer of that name who distinguished himself in the Crimean War.   During the years from 1850 the land was purchased and subdivided and settlement began in 1854. The first ship to visit Raglan was in 1836 when the harbour was charted by Capt Wing in the topsail schooner ‘Fanny”.   In the early days Raglan’s only link with the outside world was by boat and there is much history on the vessels ply the Raglan harbour and the various misfortune that they encountered. Today the Raglan Bar still has the same reputation and if you are looking to cross it by boat please ensure you know the conditions – see section on Bar Did you know Captain Cook named Woody Head in 1770?