Tributes are flowing for an incredible man who left an indelible mark on every facet of Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc – including generations of members – by pouring more than 60 years of his life into the organisation.

Dan Harris, QSM – described as a defining figure in surf lifesaving at Waihī Beach and a well-known presence in surf boat rowing circles across New Zealand – died February 10, 2026, in Hamilton, aged 87.

Daniel Edwin Harris was born April 9, 1938, to the late Maurice and Winifred Harris. The second son of three, he grew up in Waihi township, said daughter Janine O’Connor.

“He talked of being the whistling paper boy because he used to deliver the paper first thing in the morning whether it was rain, hail, snow, or shine. The paper had to get through.”

O’Connor said her father left school at age 15 and become an apprentice mechanic at the old Shell station at the top of Leo St at Waihī Beach. “He worked as an apprentice for Herbert Lomas. Herbert’s wife Edna did the books, and he boarded with them on Dillon St.”

O’Connor is unsure what led her father to join Waihi and Waihī Beach Lifesaving Club – now called Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc – but knows he was in the mix by age 17.

In New Plymouth in 1966, from left Dan Harris, W Clark, D Moore, D Lindsay and Ian Robinson in action. Photo / Supplied

“He received his surf bronze medallion, an entry level award, at 17. At that time he would’ve had a winter and a summer sport. He was a keen rugby player; he played for Thames Valley as a hooker in the number 2 jersey, but we believe that his mates and his joining the surf club would have been his summer sport.”

Aged nearly 22 he met Thelma, who was five years younger. “She was biking home from working at the hair salon on Wilson Rd and he pulled over in front of her in his car – that’s how they met,” said O’Connor, the older sibling of Greg Harris and Tracey James.

Bigger, bolder, better

A man who always looked for the next challenge, O’Connor said the family moved around the central North Island with her father’s work. “Just like his work at the surf club, initiating all the improvements over the years, everything had to be bigger, bolder and better.”

As such Dan became a qualified A Grade mechanic then went to work in Waihi’s Bolton’s store “fixing all the appliances”.

Wanting to pursue more qualifications, Dan became an insurance assessor. “He studied for his qualifications at night school while working at Bolton’s.

“When he became an insurance assessor, we moved around a lot as his job took him to different places,” said O’Connor, whose parents were married at the United Church on Wilson St, Waihī Beach.

6-Man team 1957 National Champs Wellington The 1957 nationals in Wellington was attended by Doug McLeay, Colin Major, Ian Robinson, Dan Harris, Graham Hales and Doug Seath. Photo / Supplied

First wed they lived in Waihī Beach, then Matamata; Dan done compulsory military training in Pukekohe, then they went to Ohope, back to Waihī Beach, Paeroa and lastly Hamilton.

“He always wanted to live by the river so he could look out at the water. The final house they lived in was in River Rd.”

From early on Dan was full-time in the surf club, which was voluntary work back then.

“My parents had a bach at Wallnutt Ave and in winter every third Sunday of the month we’d visit. He’d go to the surf club meetings. Mom would mow the lawns.”

Back in Hamilton Dan trained his crews on the Waikato River in winter.

A man about a tractor

O’Connor said her father was always looking to improve the surf club “so he’d use all his building contacts in Hamilton to make alterations and additions”.

As an insurance assessor Dan travelled throughout the Waikato and King Country. “He’d go to panel beaters and places like that as part of his job so a lot of the equipment the surf club got in terms quad motorbikes and tractors and utes, came from his contacts.” Otorohanga people sponsored quad bikes, Morrinsville residents helped with tractors. “If you asked dad where he was going he’d always say: ‘I’m going to see a man about a tractor’.

O’Connor said when her father wasn’t trying to improve the surf club, he was earning extra money for his family. “A trained mechanic, he’d do up cars in the shed at home.”

Very driven and motivated, O’Connor said her dad’s nickname was ‘Hard Man Harris’. “It was well-earned and well-known,” she said.

“He expected top notch in everything. If a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right – and you weren’t going to do it right, he’d do it himself. He always had a project on the go.”

Commitment, responsibility

Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc spokesperson Natalie Lloyd said Dan’s involvement with the club spanned more than six decades, and his name was closely associated with commitment, responsibility “and an unwavering belief in what surf lifesaving – and surf boat rowing in particular – could and should be”.

Lloyd said Dan competed at national level in surf boat rowing well into his seventies. “His longevity was remarkable, including continuing to sweep surf boat crews at an age when most had long since stepped away from competition.”

O’Connor said her father was incredibly competitive and loved being surrounded by youth.

Action from the final round of the national series and the trans-Tasman challenge... Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Journalism www.dscribe.co.nz [email protected] Dan Harris, at back as the sweep, competed at national level in surf boat rowing well into his seventies. Photo / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media Services

“He liked to do well and if you’re gonna do a competition it’s not for fun, it’s for winning – but subtly alongside that he gave many crews, anyone he was involved with, some life lessons.

“We’ve had so many tributes come to us to acknowledge that not only was he a coach, but he was a mentor.”

O’Connor said her father was a hard man – “he didn’t suffer any fools” – but firm and fair.

Dan held numerous positions of responsibility within the club, including club captain, president across multiple terms, and chair, Lloyd said.

“He contributed far beyond any formal title, remaining a constant presence at the club – organising, repairing, fundraising, mentoring, recruiting, and advocating – persistent, visible, and rarely without clear views on how things should be done.”

Competitive

Dan was a lifeguard – this is the club’s core business – but he enjoyed the competing side a little more. “However, he was always building the club membership, making sure we had the best and latest lifeguarding equipment, driving around to swimming clubs and running clubs looking for new people.”

Dan’s service was recognised via honours, including life membership of Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc., district and regional life membership and as an SLSNZ life member. In 200, he was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to surf lifesaving and youth.

Dan was especially well-known for establishing the North Island Surf Boat Championships, Lloyd said. “He created the event to showcase surf boat rowing properly – for the boaties, without constraint – and to place the sport front and centre at Waihī Beach.

“Now in its 26th year, the championships have grown into one of the most widely supported and genuinely enjoyed events on the surf boat racing calendar, respected within the boatie community nationwide.”

When he first joined, Dan competed in ski, which is similar to a kayak, said O’Connor. “His first medal was in a Taplin team and I suspect he would’ve been the ski paddler.

“He could see that if you had a team, you were part of something bigger. It was a way for him to be more successful, but also it was part of being a group of people and connection.”

Action from the final round of the national series and the trans-Tasman challenge... Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Journalism www.dscribe.co.nz [email protected] Dan Harris, at back as the sweep, competed at national level in surf boat rowing well into his seventies. Photo / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media Services

O’Connor said her father used his knowledge of ski paddling as a surf boat sweep “because you have to be really aware of the ocean currents and waves and be able to pick out runners from the back…a big part of being a sweep was finding the right way and reading the sea”.

Dan’s last visited Waihī Beach to witness the launch of the club’s Dan Harris boat, named after him.

The people, the sea

Asked why he loved the surf club, O’Connor said: “Surf club’s about people and his people were there. He loved the sea. It ticked all the boxes,” she said, adding all of Dan’s children and grandchildren had dipped their toes into surf club life.

Lloyd said Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc was preparing a club tribute to acknowledge Dan’s life of service and the lasting legacy he’s left the club, the surf boat community, and surf lifesaving in Aotearoa.