SurfLIFE ISSUE 42 – April 2020 AUSSIE LIFESAVERS share Surf Rescue know-how with Thai A team of Australian Surf Life Saving trainers recently travelled to Phuket in Thailand to run , junior lifesaver and water safety training programs for local lifeguards. The week-long training program was run by Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) through the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) and was supported by the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket, the Phuket Lifeguard Service and the Phuket Hotels Association. It was hosted by the Phuket Lifeguard Service and its founder Khun Vitanya Chuayuan. A closing ceremony, hosted and the Phuket Chamber of Forty-two Thai lifeguards by the Australian Consulate- Commerce. received training in pool and General in Phuket and the Training program coordinator ocean rescue skills and 54 Phuket Lifeguard Service, high school students received David Field said the event was was held to celebrate the end an opportunity to present the training in personal water safety of a very successful training and rescue. second edition of the Thai program and to promote the Manual. The manual Australian Consul-General ongoing future collaboration of was adapted and translated Matthew Barclay and Deputy Thai organisations and agencies from Surf Life Saving ’s Governor of Phuket and towards a common goal of Public Safety Training Manual. Mayor of Patong said the bond coastal risk management, between Australian and Thai water safety and A Thai-language version of a lifeguards was very strong. prevention. It also recognised children’s book which promotes the efforts of Australian water safety was also launched “I am looking forward to more Lifeguard Service trainers from at the event. The book, Pirate skills exchanges between SLSNSW who spent the week Kim: Let’s Go Swim by Thu- lifeguards from Phuket and in Phuket training their local Trang Tran, was published with Australia in the future,” said counterparts. support from the Australian Consul-General Matthew Government’s Direct Aid Barclay. The closing ceremony was Program. attended by the Deputy Australian Lifeguard Service’s Governor of Phuket, Mayor of Two highlights of the ceremony international training program Patong, Commissioner of the were Australian trainer, Lachlan coordinator, Steve Allan, from Dept of Education, Consular Field’s demonstration of the the NSW South Coast, said representatives from Australia, capabilities of SLSNSW’s UAV that the week provided the France, Chile and Brazil, Patong (drone) technology and a opportunity for Australian Police Department Disaster demonstration by Thai trainees trainers to work with local Thai Management team, Patong of a fast-paced rescue scenario trainers to facilitate ongoing, Municipal Council members, to showcase their new skills and localised training. Phuket Hotels Association knowledge. “Through the ALS’s ‘train the trainer’ approach, local Thai trainers delivered high-quality Forty-two Thai lifeguards received instruction to eager trainees, training in pool and ocean rescue strengthening the ongoing working relationships with surf skills and 54 high school students lifesavers in Phuket,” said Steve received training in personal water Allen. safety and rescue. Trailblazers march to celebrate WOMEN IN SURF LIFE SAVING On International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March 2020, some of Surf Life Saving’s pioneering women formed a ‘Colour Party’ and led the official March Past at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships at Swansea Belmont SLSC. They marched to recognise the contribution women have made to the Surf Life Saving movement throughout its 113-year history. he first female surf Jenny Kenny, from Cudgen lifesavers began patrolling Headland on the NSW Far Tin 1980, when Surf Life North Coast, who was among Saving Australia awarded the first women to achieve their women completing training Bronze Medallions in 1980, with their Bronze Medallions. marched in the parade. She While this year marks the 40th has volunteered continuously anniversary of women’s formal for almost 40 years and the participation as active surf same week it was announced lifesavers, the involvement that she was one of five people of women in Surf Life Saving nationally (three of them are began well before 1980. women) to be awarded Life Women have had an active Membership of Surf Life Saving role in the movement since its Australia. This is a significant inception – including those achievement and a rare honour who served as surf lifesavers that only 296 people have ever during WWII and were awarded achieved. Jenny continues to their Bronze Medallions be a trailblazer for women’s retrospectively just a couple of involvement in Surf Life Saving, years ago. with her appointment to the The All Female Colour Party most senior official position at at the March Past at the 2020 the 2020 NSW Championships, State Championships, on Carnival Referee. International Women’s Day, “The women in the March Past was first of many activities ranged in age from 14 to 80, planned to celebrate the which I think was fabulous. It achievements of women during was a really good representative this, the 40th anniversary year. team of people that have been A group of Surf Life Saving’s involved in all different levels of most outstanding current and the organisation over that time pioneering women marched in and have done some fabulous, the event on Sunday morning at fabulous work,” said Jenny Blacksmiths . Kenny.

“Celebrating 40 years of women in Surf Life Saving, it was wonderful to share it with a group of women that have contributed so much.”

Photo left: The International Women’s Day Colour Party - NSW 2020 State Championships March Past Passionate surf lifesaver Cathy March Pasts are a traditional Surf Life Saving NSW recently Cole, from Terrigal Surf Life event at surf sports carnivals. launched an initiative to identify Saving Club, was also among Teams march in formation on pioneering women in the Surf the women marching as part the sand, carrying traditional Life Saving movement who drove of the International Women’s Surf Life Saving ‘rescue reels’ change and paved the way for Day Colour Party. She was - accompanied by a bagpipe all women to become active surf instrumental in researching band. Colour Parties form lifesavers. The role women have and locating Terrigal’s wartime part of the March Past event, played in keeping beachgoers female lifesavers. Then in their history stemming from safe throughout SLSNSW’s 113- 2017 she coordinated the First the military tradition where year history, will be celebrated Female Lifesavers recognition servicepeople and volunteers throughout 2020 - the 40th event, where women who marched carrying . It’s anniversary year. were wartime lifesavers were one of the more unusual surf More information is available on presented with their Bronze carnival events but one of the the SLSNSW Celebrating Women Medallions by the Governor most spectacular and colourful. in Surf Life Saving website. General. “Celebrating 40 years of women in Surf Life Saving, it was wonderful to share it with “It’s so fabulous to see women a group of women that have so totally involved now in every contributed so much,” said aspect of Surf Life Saving - and Cathy Cole. “It’s so fabulous to see women welcomed and appreciated.” so totally involved now in every aspect of Surf Life Saving - and welcomed and appreciated. This hasn’t always been the case - Nobbys SLSC first female IRB Crew, 1994/95 but certainly is now,” she said. (Kristen Ross, Julie Farmer and Ula Dalton) Also joining the International Women’s Day Colour Party and marching at last weekend’s State Championships was; Julie Farmer, from Cooks Hill; Kerry Clancy from Sawtell; Ula Dalton from Caves Beach; Jenny Drury from South Curl Curl; Kerry Armstrong Smith from Umina; Shannon Fox from Wollongong City, Maureen Worth from North Narrrabeen, Robyn Carr from Ocean Beach and Brittany Banks from North Bondi SLSNSW Archives: A selection of photos and newspaper articles from the 1980s featuring some of Surf Life Saving’s pioneering women. Aussie Lifesavers Support NEW Gaza Surf Club

The Palestinian territory of Gaza isn’t well known for its . Its association with the Australian Surf Life Saving movement, however, dates back to World War II and two Gazan surf lifesavers are determined to set up a new Gaza Beach Surf Lifesaving Club - with the assistance of North Steyne SLSC in Manly and the Gaza Surf Project.

Gaza is a city ringed by still many people drown fortifications. It runs regularly because they cannot swim without power, has few cinemas safely,” Hasan told the Guardian or sporting clubs and a handful in a recent interview. of parks where children can Last month, Hasan Alhabil play. However, Gaza has a and Mohammed Saleh were in 45km stretch of beach on the as guests of the Gaza Mediterranean Sea which offers Surf Project and North Steyne its residents one of the few Surf Life Saving Club, training places they can relax, swim and to be Gaza’s first qualified socialise. lifesavers. They aim to return Hasan Alhabil is one of a to Palestine to establish its first handful of lifeguards who were surf club: The Gaza Beach Surf employed by the municipality Lifesaving Club. to patrol Gaza beach - after The Sydney-based Northern on the beach Beaches Committee for reached an horrific 44 during Palestine group, organised and one particularly bad summer. funded the Gaza Surf Project. It Thanks to the work of the Gaza took nearly four years for them lifeguards, the average number to take the project from concept of drownings is now down to to reality. They held fundraising seven a year. However, Hasan events to pay for airfares for and fellow lifesaver Mohammed Saleh and Alhabil and then Saleh are determined to reduce began the complex process of the number of fatalities on the arranging visas and passage beach even further. out of Gaza, through Egypt, to “We want to build a lifesaving Australia. club of our own, for Gazans, to In addition to gaining Surf keep people safe. Even though lifesaving skills, Saleh and the sea is more gentle in Gaza Alhabil are passionate than in Australia, unfortunately, about replicating the strong community culture that exists within Australian surf clubs and also Surf Life Saving’s successful Nippers program - to encourage and train the next generation of Gazan lifesavers. “I want children in Gaza to learn to enjoy the beach and to be safe when they swim. I want to establish a program like Nippers to teach children about lifesaving,” Saleh said in an interview with the Guardian. “We want to re-create a system like [that] here in Australia, that involves the whole society. Everyone working together to make it a safe place to share,” Saleh said. In a territory with 60% youth unemployment, a surf club can serve as a place of community and an outlet for physical activity is important for young Palestinians. Hasan Alhabil, a former refugee, was taught to swim by an older brother, and as a teenager became one of a handful of lifeguards employed by the municipality to patrol Gaza beach. “The beach is all we have, it’s the only recreation, the only entertainment for the Gazan people,” Alhabil says. “But even there we have problems. Because there is no electricity and power often, raw sewage is pushed into the sea. So that means there is less space where it is safe for people to swim. “Here in Australia, the beach is very safe, it’s very clean and well-organised. The facilities you have here, we don’t have in Gaza.” Saleh and Alhabil spent last month with North Steyne SLSC, over equipment or training to be translated from English on Sydney’s Manly Beach. materials, or sending people into Arabic,” said Sonja Sedmak They completed their Bronze over there to assist. We want from the Gaza Surf Project. Medallion and Surf Rescue to plant the seed that becomes As Australian surf lifesavers Certificates - the fundamental the Gaza Beach Surf Lifesaving know, surf clubs are important Australian lifesaving club.” and vibrant community hubs qualifications. They also met Now that Saleh and Hasan’s surf and have a culture of support with several other clubs to learn lifesaving training is complete and inclusivity. Surf Life about establishing Nippers and they have returned home Saving NSW wishes Saleh and programs. to Gaza, the Northern Beaches Alhabil well with their project The president of the North Committee for Palestine is to replicate the successful Steyne Surf Life Saving Club, now turning its attention to Australian Surf Life Saving Club Chris Gibbs Stewart, says it was fundraising for equipment and model in Gaza. an important project to support facilities for the new Gaza Beach If you would like more and the club plans to continue Surf Club. information on how you can assisting Saleh and Alhabil to “We’d like to be able to fund support the Gaza Surf Project, establish the Gaza Beach Surf the purchase of a caravan so please contact Sonja Sedmack Lifesaving Club. club members have a place on 0405 843 306. “Lifesaving is, of course, about to change and a patrol tent The photographs in this article keeping people safe on the for the beach. We’d also like are courtesy of photograhper beach, but it’s about more to arrange for Australian Surf Mike Bowers and Guardian than that, it’s about building a Life Saving training materials Australia. community, building a sense of family. We are trying to teach that culture we have here,” said “Lifesaving is, of course, about keeping Chris. people safe on the beach, but it’s about “We want to stay in contact and keep providing support, more than that, it’s about building a whether that is sending community, building a sense of family.” HEARTSINE 350P SURF CLUB OFFER Call now to buy a Defibrillator

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For more information or to order, contact Karle Codd 02 9471 8021 | [email protected] LIFESAVERS TAKE TO THE SKIES Surf Life Saving NSW has had a long association with aviation over its 112-year history – operating both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters for search and rescue and marine creature surveillance. Now a new breed of ‘dry lifesaver’ is being trained to use unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) technology to help keep beachgoers safe on the NSW coastline.

In 2018 Surf Life Saving NSW became a gazetted emergency service organisation. Volunteers can be asked to respond to calls for assistance alongside police, ambulance and other emergency service organisations. To enhance its capability, SLSNSW has established an extensive Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program to assist with beach safety, coastal surveillance, surf sports event management and search and rescue. UAVs, or drones as they’re more commonly known, have quickly become an integral part of Surf Life Saving operations. In December 2018, Surf Life Saving Australia partnered with Westpac to launch the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Drone Program. This saw 35 drones take to the skies across the NSW coastline as part of Australia’s first comprehensive approach to search and rescue using innovative drone technology. The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue currently has almost 70 drones including AVCRM (a cloud- Drones are used by surf working constantly along the based regulatory and lifesavers and lifeguards to NSW coastline. compliance portal for all UAV support rescue operations “We initially introduced drones operations) and AIRDATA (a along Australia’s coastline as a tool to complement all our cloud-based system to provide and assist with critical other assets and resources. additional visibility to the UAV response surveillance during With the increase in technology, team on flight compliance and emergencies. they’re becoming an essential aircraft diagnostics) - which is In addition to search and part of our search and rescue used to track and log all flights. rescue operations, SLSNSW has operations,” said Paul Hardy, Surf Life Saving operates in both partnered with the Department UAV Operations Coordinator the Commercial Excluded and of Primary Industries (DPI) for and Chief Remote Pilot. Remote Operators Certificate marine creature surveillance With over 70 drones in the (ReOC) categories and has and operates 30 UAVs through air along the NSW coastline, advanced RePL trained pilots this partnership. An additional keeping track of their exact in many locations. It adheres 25 training UAVs will be added location can be challenging. to all the Civil Aviation Safety to the SLSNSW fleet during SLSNSW employs a number Authority (CASA) safety 2020. of flight tracking technologies requirements. UAVs are now used extensively in surf lifesaving patrols. The UAVs used are in the sub-2kg “With the increase in technology, category and incorporate a [drones are] becoming an essential high-definition camera and loudspeaker. Operating in part of our search and rescue almost 50 locations, SLSNSW operations” Lifesavers with PRIDE push the float out

March 2020 was a huge month for Lifesavers with Pride (LWP). The group was announced as the “Principal Float” in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and LWP helped to forge a new partnership between Surf Life Saving Australia and ACON Health’s Pride in Sport Program.

Photo: Stuart Humphries ary Driscoll, Chair of Surf Life Saving NSW CEO, “When it comes to drowning, Lifesavers with Pride, Steven Pearce, who marched the ocean doesn’t discriminate Gsaid that after 15 years with Lifesavers with Pride at - so neither should we. of participation in the Sydney this year’s Mardi Gras, said that Beaches and surf clubs should Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, LWP’s involvement in Mardi be inclusive spaces where they were delighted to have Gras played an important role everyone feels welcome,” said been asked to be Principal in promoting the welcoming, George Shales. Float. inclusive and progressive Gary Driscoll said that “We’ve won awards for our attitude that exists in the Surf Lifesavers With Pride had been participation in Mardi Gras in Life Saving movement. working closely with Surf Life the past – including ‘Best Float’ “This was the second time Saving Australia to create a and ‘Best Choreography’ but I marched in the Mardi more inclusive, progressive this year the event organisers Gras with Lifesavers With and welcoming Surf Life asked us to be principal float Pride. They do a terrific job Saving culture for the LGBTQ+ - which was a huge coup and in promoting inclusiveness community – including the new a reflection of the hard work within our movement and in partnership with ACON Health. of the committee,” said Gary communicating surf safety “ACON Health’s Pride in Sport Driscoll. messaging in the LGBTI Program is the only sporting “There were 190 floats in the community. I couldn’t have inclusion program specifically parade - and we are scheduled been prouder to have marched designed to assist national and half-way through. When we got with them again this year,” said state sporting organisations to Taylor Square, the parade Steven Pearce. and clubs with the inclusion of stopped for us and we turned President of Surf Life Saving sexuality and gender diverse our whole routine sideways and NSW, George Shales, who employees, participants, performed our routine from also marched in the year’s coaches, volunteers and beginning to end on the spot, Mardi Gras parade, said that it spectators,” said Gary Driscoll. for the TV cameras, judges and demonstrates Surf Life Saving is “The new partnership with dignitaries,” he said. for everyone. the ACON Health Pride in Sport Program will help Surf Life Saving organisations across Australia to develop inclusiveness policies, set targets and be ranked on a national index,” he said.

RIPPER NIPPER saves four lives!

Fourteen-year-old Nipper, Clayton Schilg was awarded Rescue of the Month for a rescue he performed in January 2020 which saved the lives of four people caught in a strong rip on unpatrolled Wooyung Beach.

Clayton and his family, who are and headed into the surf to “One of the guys was in a bad way from Brisbane, were holidaying provide assistance. so I put him on top of the board,” at Wooyung Beach on the New There were five swimmers in Clayton said in an interview with South Wales Far North Coast on the group caught in the rip. the Tweed Daily News. Thursday 9 January when the One man in particular was “Then I got two to hang onto incident occurred. struggling to stay above the either side of the board while At 2pm a group of water. I pulled it from the front and holidaymakers from Victoria When Clayton reached the another man, the brother of the had decided to go for a swim at man, who was panicking, guy on the board, hung onto my the unpatrolled beach. They got he tried to grab Clayton and waist.” stuck in a strong rip and were inadvertently pulled him Clayton helped four of the men to getting swept out to sea when under the water. Clayton’s surf shore on the board. Clayton heard them shouting lifesaving training had prepared for assistance. “I knew if I got past the dumpers, him to deal with this situation I would be fine and catch the Thinking quickly, Clayton and he was able to free himself. white wash,” Clayton said. grabbed a nearby surfboard “They weren’t kicking, they Paramedics stabilised Mr Jeffrey it looked nice. I think 30 more were all really tired. I was trying and he was taken to Tweed seconds and he had enough,” to control the nose from the Heads District Hospital for she said. front of the board and push the observation. Clayton, who is a Nipper, gives nose down into the waves so The Geelong couple were on credit to his Surf Life Saving it didn’t flip everyone off. The their way back from a holiday Club for teaching him with his board was so heavy I couldn’t on the Gold Coast when they lifesaving skills. catch the waves in.” visited a friend at the local “The Tweed Heads Coolangatta Clayton estimated he spent five caravan park and decided to Surf Life Saving Club gave me minutes negotiating the waves swim at the unpatrolled beach. these lifesaving skills when and the strong rip current. “We mistakenly thought it was I completed my Surf Rescue One of the Victorian men, safe because of the amount Certificate and did rescue 28-year-old holidaymaker Ben of people at the beach,” Ms scenarios,” Clayton said. Jeffrey, had ingested water and Campbell said in an interview “I recommend everyone who was in a bad way. Clayton put with the Tweed Daily News. has the chance to join their local him in the recovery position and “Time slowed down for me as SLSC. I couldn’t have done it a registered nurse staying at the I watched Clayton bring them without them,” he said. caravan park helped keep him back in. conscious. Surf Life Saving NSW “Ben says he only had another congratulates Clayton on his Ben Jeffrey later told Clayton minute in him. He said he had remarkable rescue which saved that before he was rescued he given up, laid on his back and the lives of four people and his was so exhausted he was ‘within looked at the sky and thought Rescue of the Month Award. a minute’ of giving up. SLSNSW Far North Coast Duty Officer, Jimmy Keough said “For him to voluntarily put himself that Clayton’s response was in that situation, but also have the remarkable. skills and ability to manage it so “For a junior lifesaver to have the initiative to respond to a competently, is outstanding for large group of people in distress himself and Surf Life Saving for the in that way is remarkable,” training and the skills they give Jimmy Keough said. “For him to voluntarily put junior lifesavers” himself in that situation, but also have the skills and ability to manage it so competently, is outstanding for himself and Surf Life Saving for the training and the skills they give junior lifesavers,” he said. NSW Ambulance was tasked to assist after a member of the public called triple-zero (000). Jimmy Keough said that Surf Life Saving NSW helped get ambulance four-wheel-drive vehicles onto the beach. ateman’s Bay Surf Life THE DAY THE Saving Club volunteers Bcouldn’t have anticipated the bushfires that would ravage APOCALYPSE their community that day and the pivotal role they would play CAME TO in saving thousands of lives. By 10am bushfires were bearing BATEMANS BAY down on Malua Bay and thousands of people, pets and livestock were seeking refuge New Year’s Eve 2019 was on the beach. The surf club had shaping up to be a busy become an evacuation centre and volunteer surf lifesavers had summer’s day at Malua Bay on mobilised a response team. the NSW Far South Coast. The Bateman’s Bay Club Captain forecast was for hot weather and Anthony Bellette said the first warning he got about the holidaymakers were preparing to unfolding disaster was a text hit the beach to cool off. message from Emergency Services telling residents to evacuate to the beach and seek shelter there. “I had a look at the wind direction and it was then that I thought this could get real. It was at that point that I sent a message to our callout team asking for them to come to the club because I thought we could become an evacuation point,” said Anthony “Straight away we had cars pulling up to the surf club. We had too many cars in the car park so we distributed high- vis vests and club radios and started trying to control the traffic. Soon we had hundreds of cars overflowing into the park opposite the club. “I sent a message to some clubbies who were on their way and asked them to get food and water for 500 people. They said ‘how do we cater for 500 people?’ I said we’re going to need everything! We’re going to need nappies, baby wipes –

everything! Photos: Alex Coppel “As more people started us and tell people to evacuate began cooking! Everyone was arriving, we ushered them who were trying to defend their given breakfast.” into the club. We printed homes with hoses. Stories from the community registration forms and by “We had 12 clubbies helping are now starting to emerge the end of the day we had us on the day. We made an about the calm, professional 1,270 people registered and announcement asking for help leadership displayed by accounted for as safe. and other volunteers jumped Batemans Bay Surf Life “The smoke started to get on board to help including Saving Club members as they thick before the fires arrived three nurses and a doctor. responded to the bushfire crisis. and people started having “We had to evacuate a guy Former Australian Wallaby and respiratory problems. I put having severe respiratory Bronte Surf Life Saving Club the call in to the local chemist problems. We got him into a member, Al Baxter was among requesting Ventolin puffers. police car and a club member those who sought shelter at They said take 10 Batemans Bay surf and bring back what The bravery, confidence and kindness of club. He and his you don’t use. each and every Surf Life Saving member wife Anna and their “As spot fires started two children spent approaching we on that day was extraordinary the night at Malua could see the houses Bay after being across the bay lighting up. accompanied him all the way evacuated from their beach I spoke to the team and we to the hospital while giving him house nearby. decided that the surf club might oxygen therapy. “We got to the beach about not be the safest place to stay. “At 10pm we established an 7am but by 10am we could hear So we moved everyone down overnight rostering system. the rumbling of the fire coming onto the beach. All the guys did Our members slept for three from the back of the beach. an awesome job getting people hours then came back on duty That was really scary. And we down there and keeping them for three hours. We even had had burning hot ash and a calm. two people rostered on the roof burning hot draft hit us,” said “We organised our buggy to spotting fires. Al Baxter on the ABC’s Drum collect people in the streets “The next morning when we program. who couldn’t get to the club woke up the local butcher Due to widespread power – elderly people. We had the brought 50kgs of meat and we outages, mobile phone police jump in the buggy with got the BBQ started up and communications in the area were lost during the bushfires. Photos: Alex Coppel We spent the night on the beach because we were surrounded by fires. We suspected the house had gone because we watched the headland burn. We went back the next day and confirmed our fears

“It’s really disquieting. You just communications there. They “The gravity of the situation take for granted power and had contact with the major surf over those 24 to 36 hours was phones and things like that. We rescue people so they could tell not lost on me. There is no were texting friends, family and us what was happening. doubt his actions and that of his neighbours telling them that we “When the embers hit the surf team saved hundreds of lives. were okay and then suddenly club they were there dousing it “The entire team that was on when you don’t have the ability down. Then on the beach they duty that day are a credit to to do that anymore you realise were walking around checking SLSNSW. From coordinating that things are more serious that people were okay. They volunteers to applying , than you first thought,” said were just fantastic. comforting those who were in Baxter. “We spent the night on the a state of panic and emotional, Al Baxter said that the Rural Fire beach because we were providing food, communicating Service couldn’t actually access surrounded by fires. We and fighting the fire to protect Malua Bay when the fire front suspected the house had our new safe haven in the club,” hit and by the time they did, gone because we watched the said Kim Mallett. their fireground radio network headland burn. We went back “I am acutely aware that the had gone down. He praised the next day and confirmed our location was never intended the Batemans Bay lifesavers fears,” Baxter said. to be an evacuation centre, for keeping everyone informed nor were they resourced to be using Club Captain, Anthony Former police officer Kim Mallett, who was a first able to support the number of Bellette’s personal satellite people who influxed the area. phone. responder during the Canberra bushfires in 2003, praised With this limited capability they “I can’t say how fantastic they Anthony Bellette and his team’s still did everything they could were. They kept us informed response. to ensure we had water, food, all day. They had the only shelter and protection. Photos: Alex Coppel “They should all be community hub to provide Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf commended for their efforts, assistance to local residents. Life Saving NSW, praised the and SLSNSW should be Anthony Bellette and his team efforts of the Batemans Bay surf proud of the people they have of lifesavers continued to work lifesavers. representing their organisation. to support people who’d lost “Anthony Bellette and his Whilst not entirely related to everything in the bushfires. team’s efforts in responding to water safety, they certainly Anthony said that they opened the bushfire emergency was executed the organisation’s the Batemans Bay club to the nothing short of extraordinary. mission to save lives,” she said. community. They had people in They were calm under pressure Jess Williams, whose family their kitchens cooking food and and mobilised the limited owns a holiday house at baking scones. They handed resources available to them to Rosedale, had friends staying out groceries and people used protect the lives of thousands of with her when the fire front hit their facilities to shower. people,” said Steven Pearce. the area. They were evacuated Mobile phone networks were “We’re enormously proud to Malua Bay, thinking they down so NBN Co set up a free of the team at Batemans would only be there for a few wireless network at the club so Bay – their response during short hours. They ended up people could contact friends the bushfire emergency and staying for more than 24 hours. and family. The club also had their continuing efforts in “The bravery, confidence and power boards so people could supporting the community in kindness of each and every Surf charge their phones and run the aftermath,” he concluded. Life Saving member on that day their laptops. was extraordinary,” she said “They took care of over 2,000 people who fled to Malua Bay as a safe place. It was not an evacuation point but the only safe place we could get to. “In addition to the people sheltering, there were also horses, dogs, birds, reptiles and cats. “The surf lifesavers asked if there was anything they could get us and said we are safe and we should try and sleep. They said they would watch over all of us and if things changed, they would let us know. The fires were burning all night around Malua Bay. “Each and every member of that Surf Life Saving Club needs to be acknowledged for their incredible dedication to saving lives,” said Jess Williams. After the Bushfires had passed, Batemans Bay Surf Life Saving Club began operating as a Photos: Alex Coppel The award-winning rescue Off duty lifesavers occurred at 7.45pm on Saturday 1 February. James McLennan, who is Club Captain at Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, and his wife Kirsty were relaxing at their HEROES home at Bronte beach. The sun was going down and light was in Bronte rescue fading fast. James noticed a large group of people caught in the notorious Bronte Beach rip. They were in considerable distress and were being swept quickly out to sea. Thinking quickly, he ran to Bronte SLSC to grab a rescue board. “As I ran down, I could hear a lot of screaming and yelling coming from the beach. I could see at least six people in trouble, so I had to get a board and get straight into the water. I simply didn’t have time to call Triple- Zero. So, as I was running to the beach, I sent a message to our Board and Surf Skills Group on ‘WhatsApp’ requesting assistance,” James said. James grabbed a rescue board from the surf club but before diving into the water, asked two bystanders to call Triple-Zero and request Ambulance assistance. He paddled out through the rip to rescue the swimmers who were now more than 250 metres A mass rescue that was from the beach. Being a surf sports athlete and strong board described as incredible and paddler, he reached the group heroic, has won lifesavers James of struggling swimmers within minutes. and Kirsty McLennan a Rescue “The conditions were pretty of the Month Award for saving nasty. It was choppy and there the lives of nine people who was a lot of moving water around. There was a strong were caught in the notorious north-east wind blowing which Bronte Beach rip and swept made paddling out more difficult,” James said.

hundreds of metres out to sea. (right) News Ltd. (left), Foxfotos Photo credits: It was the most incredible rescue I’ve ever heard of. It was full-on heroic. James’ efforts that day saved the lives of nine people – without doubt. Those guys are just so lucky James was on the beach that night. He deserves a bravery award.

James’ wife Kirsty, who had The 20-year-old man was “Those guys are just so lucky followed James to the beach, returned to the beach and given James was on the beach that also grabbed a rescue board first-aid oxygen treatment by night. He deserves a bravery from the club and dived into the James and a team of Bronte award,” he said. rip. So did several other off-duty lifesavers. NSW Ambulance Matt Spooner said the surf lifesavers and two off-duty paramedics arrived a short rescue was incredibly well Waverly Council Lifeguards who time later and he was taken coordinated between the had seen James’ request for to hospital for observation. multiple emergency service assistance via the ‘WhatsApp’ Another man was treated for organisations that responded. message. They arrived a short shock at the scene. He also said that the rescue time later to assist. All nine of the swimmers that highlighted the dangers of On call Duty officer Matt Evans were rescued from the rip by swimming outside patrol hours arrived at Bronte Beach 15 surf lifesavers were brought and at night. minutes after being tasked back safely to Bronte beach for James says that the successful by Police. He quickly realised assessment and treatment. rescue was a team effort and the scale of the incident and Matt Spooner, Support gives credit to all Bronte Surf requested the Toll Ambulance Operations Manager, Sydney Life Saving Club members and Rescue Helicopter attend to Branch, at Surf Life Saving NSW Waverly Council Lifeguards assist with the search and said that James McLennan’s who assisted on the day. He rescue in the fading light. rescue was heroic. also credits the focused rescue He also confirmed that NSW “It was the most incredible board training provided by the Ambulance paramedics were on club. the way to assist. rescue I’ve ever heard of. It was full-on heroic. James’ efforts James and Kirsty McLennan After James reached the that day saved the lives of nine were awarded SLSNSW Rescue swimmers caught in the rip, he people – without doubt,” said of the Month for February 2020. realised there were actually nine Matt Spooner. people in the group – not the six he first thought. He began coordinating Kirsty and the James and Kirsty other lifesavers to return the McLennan swimmers, one at a time, to the beach. “One guy was in a particularly bad way. He had ingested a lot of water and was drifting in and out of consciousness. He was frothing at the mouth and I had to clear his airway several times while I was paddling him back to the beach on my board,” James said. Photo credits: Foxfotos (left), News Ltd. (right) News Ltd. (left), Foxfotos Photo credits: The NSW Government has provided funding for Surf Life Saving to trial ways to enhance the safety of the public on our beaches and reduce the rate of THE NET coastal drownings each year in NSW. “By funding this initiative, to save lives we are giving our volunteer lifesavers the tools they need to keep people safe on the beach this summer,” said the Minister Visitors to NSW beaches now for Emergency Services, David have real-time safety information Elliott. at their fingertips with the rollout Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales has no doubt the of a trial of free Beach WiFi technology has the potential technology. to save lives. “The WiFi trial will give beachgoers, including people from non-English speaking backgrounds, access to vital safety information when and where they need it most.” The technology is initially being trailled at four locations in NSW: Byron Bay, Bronte, North sharks, rips or beach closures On average over the last 10 Cronulla and Nth Wollongong. due to dangerous surf years, around 27% of drowning Similar trials are underway on conditions. These are pre- deaths in Australia were people Queensland beaches. translated into other languages. born overseas. International The WiFi signal is targeted With too many coastal students who are drowning are within an area of around 100 drownings occuring outside mostly from India (29.4%) and metres, which is designed patrol areas, Surf Life Saving China (26.5%). to attract people to the safer NSW hopes the technology “We thank the NSW area of the beach, between will encourage more people to Government for its support the red and yellow flags. The swim between the flags. for this new technology which WiFi units will be positioned “For us, the benefits are we hope will play a key role in on the beach by lifesavers or at two-fold; it’s a great way to protecting both international some locations on weekdays by encourage swimmers to stay and domestic beachgoers this lifeguards. Prominent signage between the flags, but it’s summer,” said George Shales. will tell beachgoers that WiFi is also a platform to provide live available and how to login. information on conditions Once connected, the home and safety tips, particularly to screen features easy to international tourists in their understand safety tips and links own language,” said George to more information on beach Shales. safety such as how to spot a rip current. Users can select this information to be displayed in five languages other than English, including Chinese, Arabic and Hindi. The technology also allows Patrol Captains or lifeguards to push real-time safety alerts to beachgoers about current hazards, including bluebottles, REDHEAD’S HERO NIPPERS

A group of young surf lifesavers from Redhead Surf Life Saving Club in the Hunter region received a Rescue of the Month Award from Surf Life Saving NSW for saving the lives of three people caught in a rip. n 28 November 2019, “It was a mass rescue and I was my board and I paddled him in,” Nicholas White, Lily totally relieved when I saw what Nick said. OKennedy-Myers and Jet was going on because I couldn’t Lily Kennedy-Myers, who was Hoffman were all taking part in do a darn thing from where I also board training that day, a board training session. It had was up on the bluff. Nobody quickly followed Nick out to been an anything but routine on the beach could have done assist with the rescue. training session for the group. a darn thing so the guys were Surf conditions were big - with very lucky the group was board “This was my first rescue and five-foot swell and big rips training that day.” I was really scared when I along the beach. There was a first saw them out there. But Nicholas White, who was part then my confidence kicked in lot of wind and chop which was of the board training squad making training difficult for the knowing I had done so much that day, was the first to training for it,” said Lily. squad. respond when he saw the boys At the same time, around struggling in the rip. “Once I had him on my board, I was relieved because he was 5.30pm, local Redhead resident “We were finishing a race and Neil Dalby was walking his dog safe and with me. But then I had coming in when we noticed to get him in to shore and that on the bluff high above the someone in trouble. So I went beach. He had been watching was another challenge in itself,” out on my board as quick as I said Lily. the young surf lifesavers’ could,” said Nick. board training session when Nicholas and something I was immediately assessing the conditions and Lily paddled caught his two of the attention. the state of the guys I was rescuing. My training boys back to “I saw four, kicked in so I knew exactly what to do. I’ve done shore while young, sixteen- partial rescues before but nothing major. Jet Hoffman, year-old boys who was run down the also training, “The rip they were going out in paddled his nipper board over beach and jump into the water was a severe rip, probably 30 where there’s a strong current to assist the third boy, who was metres wide, being fed by the treading water. - and they got into trouble large north-east swell coming straight away. I was waving and across the beach. It was a big “I paddled one of the guys out shouting but nobody could rip,” said Nick. of the rip and away from the hear me down on the beach,” rocks. But he was a big guy and said Neil Dalby. “I was immediately thinking too big for my board – he would where the waves were and the have sunk it. So I just let him “At the last moment, one of quickest way I could get out the boys in the board training hang onto it and have a rest,” to the boys in the surf. So I ran said Jet Hoffman. squad must have seen what down to a slight rip to try and was going on and went straight get out to them quicker. Ray Terrill, the young lifesavers’ out into the current to rescue board coach, arrived to assist the boys. He was out to them in “I was immediately assessing Jet and help the third swimmer about 10 seconds. the conditions and the state back to the beach. He said that of the guys I was rescuing. My “By then a young girl in the the board squad responded training kicked in so I knew very quickly to the situation. squad saw what was going on exactly what to do. I’ve done and was straight out there too. partial rescues before but “It was a situation where our She grabbed one of the guys. nothing major. kids could spot the danger early And then a younger kid, a little and we’re extremely proud guy, paddled out to help too. “One of the boys was in quite a that they could see the danger Then the coach went out. bit of trouble, struggling quite developing,” said Ray Terrill. significantly. So he jumped on “They could see the danger the This was my first rescue and I was really boys were getting themselves into. We’re proud our kids could scared when I first saw them out there. But assist these young men who then my confidence kicked in knowing I had were in trouble. done so much training for it. “Sadly to say, if it wasn’t for our club members going to their aid, there would have been at Neil Dalby, who watched the lives saved. What cost is a life? least one fatality that day. If not rescue from the bluff above That’s the importance of it,” he more,” said Ray Terrill. Redhead beach, is still in awe of said. Jet, Lily and Nick said that they the mass rescue he witnessed George Shales, President of have received a terrific response the Redhead board squad Surf Life Saving NSW, said that to their rescue. perform that day. the young lifesavers’ timely “My parents were very excited “I thought these guys, who’d and efficient response to the and happy that I’d done the gotten into trouble, were very critical incident was a credit to rescue and, well, they are lucky that the guys were out themselves and to the training still talking about it to other there doing squad work,” said the Redhead Surf Life Saving people,” said Jet. Neil Dalby. Club had given them. “I’m very excited that I’ve just “What got me was that after the “Thanks to their training, done a rescue. That’s why I do rescue the coach got the squad teamwork and skill, they saved Nippers. And I’ve always had together to debrief on what the lives of three people. a great feeling about saving had just happened. And then They have every right to feel someone’s life,” said Jet. boom, off they were, back down enormously proud of their the beach doing their training achievements and the Rescue “Winning Rescue of the Month again. of the Month Award is due has propelled me to go further “You can measure the value of recognition,” said George into Surf Life Saving – going on Shales. for years to come,” said Jet. surf clubs to the community in LIVING ROOM LIFESAVERS Bringing life saving CPR skills to you! New Online CPR Training Program

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The very best Iron the Molokai World Paddle because of the longer run leg Championships. “It wasn’t the but it ended up being one of athletes in Australia greatest start to the series,” said her favourite. “It was one of the lined up for one Lizzie. “Placing 13th made me hardest rounds but I absolutely last round in the nervous going into the second loved it that way, and the crowd round. It was definitely a blow was great!,” she said. 2019/20 Nutri- to my confidence not getting Despite loving the Surfers event Grain Iron Series at the results I wanted to start.” she placed fourth which put the North Cronulla in She put her head down and pressure back on. Lana Rogers trained hard with two weeks (Noosa) had solidified her series February. between events, the nerves title after the fourth round and were intense but not enough to four consecutive wins. bring her down. Training paid The final round at North Lizzie Welborn (Newport SLSC) off at Burleigh with a second Cronulla on 19 January was one of the youngest ever place finish. “It was amazing, an presented Lizzie with a small qualifiers for the Nutri-Grain awesome feeling to get there but possible chance of her first Iron Series at just 16 years old. and prove to myself that I could podium finish in the series since This year she achieved a well- hold it and compete against the qualifying. deserved third place in the best,” she said. series. “I had a great chance of Her performance at Burleigh getting second if I kept up my The 21 year-old university boosted her confidence and performance but the nerves student had a tough 2018/19 allowed her to maintain a were back with that pressure,” season suffering glandular consistent training regime said Lizzie. “All I had to do was fever and then changing clubs, before round three at Bulli beat Georgia Miller (Northcliffe) from North Bondi to Newport. where she backed up with to get the points.” Training was disrupted but the another second place. “I was change in routine and location definitely chilled out ahead of “I gave it my best shot,” she has proven to be a positive. the Bulli event and pretty happy said. And after three successful back-to-back eliminator rounds The first event of the series, I could get the same result just behind Lana Rogers.” that day, she’d done it. Lizzie the iconic Coolangatta Gold Welborn was on the podium didn’t go as planned after a Lizzie said all the competitors with a well-earned third place solid offseason competing in were sceptical about round four behind Lana and Georgia. and completing being held at Surfers Paradise “I was absolutely over the moon came in third behind Hurst “I knew I’d done the work, I think with third,” she said after her and again the following year when you turn up to something win. “I’m so happy to be here Hurst took out fourth with Louis like this and you’re in a battle with Lana and Georgia.” trailing in fifth place. with four or five guys it’s hard to “Having the final round in With the rivalry behind them, not let it get to you,” he said. Sydney meant all my family and the mates celebrated a career The 29-year-old used the swim friends were right there with pinnacle for Louis. “Kendrick legs to make his move on the me, it made it pretty special and has shown that with true grit field but said the waves played I wanted to race well for them. and perseverance anything is a huge part on the day. “It could “The conditions made it achievable,” said Hurst. “Round have been anyone’s race on entertaining. When you’ve got five was a true master-class Sunday,” he said. “TJ Hendy and waves it’s anyone’s race. There performance from Kendrick and Jay Furniss set the benchmark are so many lead changes and it capped off the series for him.” early and they held it right the reading the ocean comes into Grateful for the help of Hurst, way through to the last race.” your strategy a lot more. It’s Louis said, “He knew when it Hard work and patience finally a massive combo of different was time to go and when it was paid off. skills and it makes it pretty time to sit back and just having exciting to race in and watch,” that experience in my corner “Kendrick has she said. today was invaluable. He kept shown that with Manly Ironman Kendrick Louis me calm.” true grit and is the 2019/20 Nutri-Grain Iron A fourth place at the last round Series champion, completing at North Cronulla was all he perseverance the trifecta of Australian, NSW needed after consistent results anything is and Nutri-Grain Ironman titles across the series. achievable.” and a life-long dream. For over a decade, the Ironman has been chasing the prestigious title and admitted it was the one he wanted after coming so close each year. Kendrick brought a secret weapon of support from one of Surf Life Saving’s most successful Ironmen this year. Olympian Ky Hurst won four Australian Ironman titles and is said to be one of the greatest swimmers the sport has ever produced. He was Kendrick’s handler and provided expert advice to the Manly athlete, giving him the winning edge he needed this year. The pair had a rivalry that crossed over as Hurst came towards the end of his career and Louis was beginning his. In the 2012/13 series, Kendrick STATE CHAMPS wraps up for 2020

On finals day of the state’s premier surf sport event, Newport SLSC romped home to seal the deal on an incredible seventh straight NSW Open Championships title at Swansea Belmont in March. The 2020 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, proudly supported by Your local club, wrapped up after a solid eight days of Junior, Masters and Opens competition at Blacksmiths Beach. Newport SLSC won the final Opens Championships event – making it seven championship titles in a row and an unparalleled achievement. North Curl Curl SLSC came out of nowhere to claim the junior Championship and Bondi Surf Bathers LSC backed up to win the Masters overall pointscore. The NSW Championships attracted around 6,000 competitors of all ages from across NSW - along with 600 volunteer officials and 15,000 family members and spectators. With the cancellation of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in Queensland in April, the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships becomes the largest surf sport event in the country for the 2019/20 season. With the success of this year’s event and the ongoing support of the Lake Macquarie City Council, it was announced that the Championship event would return to Swansea Belmont SLSC in 2021 for the fifth consecutive year.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who keep NSW beaches safe each season! Without your tireless efforts, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do which is save lives, create great Australians, and build better communities.

Our Mission Surf Life Saving NSW wishes to thank the following To save lives, create great Australians sponsors and supporters for helping our volunteers and build better communities. save lives on the beaches each year. Summary Surf Life Saving NSW is the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with over 75,000 members, is one of the largest volunteer movements in Australia. The primary role of Surf Life Saving NSW is to save lives on our beaches, while other activities include developing our members through education, leadership and surf sports programs. There are 129 surf clubs and 11 branches in the state which are affiliated with Surf Life Saving NSW, stretching from Fingal Rovers SLSC near Tweed Heads, to Pambula SLSC on the Far South Coast. Contact Us For contributions or suggestions for SurfLIFE please contact SLSNSW Media on 02 9471 8000 or [email protected] SLSNSW endeavours to ensure all information contained in SurfLIFE is correct and true, however accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or mistakes contained in the publication.

Surf Life Saving T +61 2 9471 8000 F +61 2 9471 8001 E [email protected] 3 Narabang Way Belrose NSW 2085 | PO Box 307 Belrose NSW 2085 Australia Fundraising Authority No. CFN11033 ABN: 93 827 748 379