ISSUE 3 WINTER 2014 Beyond the Flags

Busy Season for First Aid Training Milestone IRB Champions: Kiama Downs Athlete Profile: Nathan Foster Clubbie Profile: Steven Polley AUSTRALIAN SERVICE LIFESAVING

2 | Beyond the Flags LIFESAVING

BUSY SEASON ACROSS NSW FOR ALS LIFEGUARDS

The Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) significantly with lifeguards treating “It should be noted that lifeguards has concluded its patrols in NSW for 4366 first aid cases across the state volunteered their time on certain the 2013/2014 lifeguarding season compared with 7383 last season. occasions to watch over large crowds which saw more than 4.2 million of people, even when their shift had Lifeguards also performed 223,806 people visit the Service’s 18 patrolled finished, ensuring there were no preventative actions. Preventative regions. incidents and the public were kept actions include instructing swimmers safe. It is this sort of dedication that The ALS runs lifeguard services in 14 to move out of dangerous areas or makes working with our lifeguards LGAs, two resorts and two National ensuring they swim between the such a joy. Parks across New South Wales. flags. “These councils as well as National While beach attendance was slightly The ALS is the largest provider of Parks have once again been very less across the state by just over 1% professional lifeguard services in the supportive this season and we look compared to the previous season, a country. Australian Lifeguard Service forward to further improving beach number of regions recorded increases NSW Coordinator Brent Manieri said safety and working collaboratively in beach-goers. local councils and National Parks with them leading into next season,” have been extremely supportive of This was led by the Royal National said Mr Manieri. the lifeguard service this season and Park which recorded a 2.5 times praised lifeguard efforts. Many NSW councils have realised increase in beach-goers compared to the benefit of ensuring a total service last season. Richmond Valley Council “Once again the Australian provision, as the Australian Lifeguard which recorded a 61% increase in Lifeguard Service has completed an Service integrates with Surf Life attendance was also significant. extremely successful season where Saving’s volunteer patrol structure, Ballina Shire Council recorded a 56% a wide variety of conditions were state-wide support operations increase while Pittwater Council was experienced by our lifeguards. network, 24-hour emergency callout 15% higher compared to last season. “The professionalism that our lifeguards system and strategically located Tweed Shire Council also increased by continue to exhibit and the enthusiasm Westpac Rescue helicopter services. 9%. they show for the job means the public Rescues across the state have also were well-protected and provided with risen by 6.9% with Bega Valley Shire the highest level of service. Council recording the highest number with 219.

While rescues have increased this season, First Aid has dropped

Beyond the Flags | 3 ATHLETE PROFILE “I started IRB racing in 1996. It’s an addictive sport with great camaraderie amongst competitors from NATHAN all clubs.” FOSTER

This edition we chat to IRB racing champion and coach, Nathan Foster, from Kiama Downs SLSC on the South Coast. Nathan has been a committed competitor for many years and is now enjoying the spoils of being part of the NSW State Titles winning team.

Congratulations on Kiama Downs When it dies I will retire! Strapping have a few more years left in me. taking out the 2014 NSW IRB tape also, I’m getting old so you never Where does your passion for IRB Championships! The club has been know when you might need it. racing come from, what makes you chasing rivals Caves Beach for some How do you prepare for these events do it? time now, how does it feel to win? in terms of training, what’s a typical IRB racing is just what I do. I love the I am just so happy and relieved for week look like? competitiveness, the friendships both everyone who has worked so hard to A typical week is in the boat for a three within my team and with people from get there. We have been building a hour session on the weekend, a mix all over the state and . The total FOR volunteer patrolled beaches team for some years now, and have of cardio and resistance training and challenge for me is to continue to try finally got the structure and depth to increasing sprint training as the season and keep up with the young talent win with the points format at the State progresses towards the Australian coming through the ranks. I am really Championships. titles in July each year. enjoying being part of developing the What do you do when you aren’t sport in my role as NSW state coach. 6,788,018 How do you deal with it being a racing IRBs? What is your day job? winter sport? How do you stay Do you have any tips for newcomers 4433 When I’m not racing, training or motivated and fit after the surf to the sport in terms of technique or BEACH ATTENDEES patrolling, I am a town planner with the season is finished? tactic? NSW government. RESCUES I am used to it now; I have been racing I think for those coming into the sport, What is your favourite beach to race long enough to enjoy the benefits of it is important to listen, watch and ask at, other than your own? global warming. I enjoy exercising as many questions as you can. Be a so keeping fit is not such a big deal sponge absorbing it all and put in the My favourite beach is the host beach of and competing certainly gives me time and effort to prepare physically the NSW State Championships, South motivation to train hard all year. outside of the boat. West Rocks. It’s an even beach across 150,921 the lanes giving everyone a shot, and How long have you been involved in What are your upcoming and future it holds great memories for me having IRB racing and competition? goals in the sport? PREVENTATIVE 6000 won my first Aussie medal there in 2007. I started IRB racing in 1996. It’s an My goals are to try and compete at the first aid What are the key essentials you pack addictive sport with great camaraderie top level for as long as I can and find when heading to a carnival? amongst competitors from all clubs. new ways to get a competitive edge as actions treatments The body is still holding up (just) so I my foot speed slows as I get a bit older. My lucky club cap...had it for ages!

4 | Beyond the Flags LIFESAVING DROWNINGS DOWN RESCUES UP

Surf Life Saving volunteers across NSW actions including instructing have completed a bumper year with key swimmers to move out of dangerous statistics emphasising the vital role they areas are up by 19%. play in keeping NSW beaches safe. Surf Life Saving NSW President, Tony Coastal drownings in NSW are down Haven, thanked the volunteers for by 44% compared to last season with their dedication during the patrol 27 coastal drownings compared to 48 season. for the 2012/13 season. “Lifesavers in NSW have once again While drownings have significantly shown their incredible commitment to decreased, rescues and preventative keeping our beaches safe, collectively actions by surf lifesavers have volunteering over 664,000 patrol increased across NSW indicating a very hours. This type of commitment is proactive season on the beach. what makes Surf Life Saving such a special organisation to be a part of,” Rescues are up 11% compared to the said Tony Haven. previous season while preventative

total FOR volunteer patrolled beaches 6,788,018 BEACH ATTENDEES 4433 RESCUES 150,921 6000 PREVENTATIVE first aid actions treatments

Beyond the Flags | 5 CONGRATULATIONS TO SLSNSW OAM RECIPIENTS

SLSNSW would like to congratulate Warren Young (Avalon Beach SLSC) have put towards Surf Life Saving and six of our volunteer members who have all been recognised for service to their communities over the years is have been recognised with a Medal their local communities. fantastic. of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the SLSNSW would also like to “Surf Life Saving is extremely General Division as part of the Queen’s congratulate Mr David James and Mr lucky to have people of this calibre Birthday Honours List. Peter MacCormick; both previously volunteering their time to better our The Order of Australia is the principal heavily involved in surf life saving organisation and I extend my deepest and most prestigious means of and their surf clubs and were also congratulations on this huge honour,” recognising those who have made recipients of the Order of Australia said Mr Haven. outstanding contributions that benefit Medal. President of the Queenscliff SLSC, their communities and ultimately our Surf Life Saving NSW President, Tony Mr Kevin Harris, was also a recipient country. Haven, congratulated the recipients on on the day being awarded the Public Mrs Shirley Cameron (North Cronulla their significant achievement. Service Medal- for outstanding public SLSC), Mr Gary Chapman (Thirroul service, particularly to the Vocational “The Order of Australia Medal is one SLSC), Mr Paul Daley (Queenscliff Education and Training sector. of the highest honours in this country SLSC), Mr Charles Goodwin (North and to be recognised at this level for Wollongong SLSC), Mr Anthony Hayes the phenomenal effort these guys (South West Rocks SLSC) and Mr

6 | Beyond the Flags OAM RECIPIENTS

MRS SHIRLEY CAMERON MR CHARLES GOODWIN from 1995-1999 and a Life Member from 2007. (North Cronulla SLSC) (Nth Wollongong SLSC) He was also Co-Founder of the For service to the community through For service to the community of the Ocean and Open Water Swimming the movement. Illawarra region. Association and founding Member of Mrs Cameron was the President of the Mr Goodwin established the Junior the Avalon Beach Ocean Swim. Ladies Auxiliary Committee at North Sandpiper Club at North Wollongong He was awarded the Distinguished Cronulla SLSC for three years. She and is a Foundation Member of the Service Award from the Sydney was also the Deputy President and Wollongong Whales (winter swim Northern Beaches Branch in 2003. Secretary for three years, Life Member club). since 1975 and member since 1941. He has previously been recognised with MR PAUL DALEY She was also the Treasurer of the a 60 Years’ Long Service Award by North (Queenscliff SLSC) Winter Activities Committee from Wollongong SLSC. 1984-1993 and created electronic For service to the legal profession, and record of service for members since MR ANTHONY HAYES to the community. 1925. She was also the Treasurer of (South West Rocks SLSC) Mr David Lyndon JAMES North Cronulla SLSC Rugby Club, (South Narrabeen SLSC) 1984-1996. For service to the surf lifesaving movement, and to the community. Mr James who was a member at Mrs Cameron has a surfboat named South Narrabeen for 29 years was after her at North Cronulla SLSC. Mr Hayes is currently a life member recognised for service to conservation of Surf Life Saving NSW and was the and the environment, and to local MR GARY CHAPMAN President of South West Rocks SLSC government. (Thirroul SLSC) from 1989-1997, Deputy President from 1997-2010, Secretary from 1979- MR PETER MACCORMICK For service to surf lifesaving, and to the 1988 and Club Delegate to Mid-North community of Wollongong. Coast Region for 10 years. (Balmoral Beach) Mr Chapman was a member of A member since 1968, Mr Hayes was For service to the community through the National Youth Development also President of the Mid-North Coast air rescue services, and to surf Committee for Surf Life Saving Regional Branch from 1994-1997, lifesaving. Australia from 2004-2013. Secretary from 1980-1994, District He was a foundation Rescue Crewman Mr Chapman was the Director of Supervisor from 1993-1998 and Surf for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Member Services for Surf Life Saving Sports Official, for over 20 years. Service from 1973-1985, Managing NSW from 2005-2013. He was also Mr Hayes has also been recognised as Director from 1984-1985 and the Director, Youth and Member a Branch Volunteer of the Year for the Financial Director from 1980-1983. Development at Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast. Illawarra from 2000-2004, Child Protection Officer from 2001-2004, MR WARREN YOUNG Member Protection Officer since 2002 (Avalon Beach SLSC) and Member Protection Investigation since 2002. For service to surf lifesaving. A Surf Life Saving member since Mr Young has been with Avalon Beach 1996 at Thirroul SLSC Mr Chapman SLSC since 1986. He was President has been recognised as Volunteer for 11 years from 1990-2001, Vice- of the Year at Thirroul in 2001-2002 President twice from 1988-1990 and and Club Person of the Year in 2000- 2001-2009, Life Member since 1999 2001 and was awarded the Most and served as President and Vice- Outstanding Contribution to Life President of the Junior Club. Saving Award twice in 2003-2004 and Mr Young was also Vice-President of 2005-2006. the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch

Photo supplied by Louise Dam Beyond the Flags | 7 BRAT LE ING CE

FIRST AID TRAINING

T CONTINUES TO GROW D R I A A I N E S T D I N F I R

“We regularly get feedback from clients and trainers who use these skills they have learnt in real life scenarios

TO MAKE A BOOKING CALL OUR HOTLINE: 1300 766 257 8 | Beyond the Flags AUSTRALIAN LIFESAVING ACADEMY

FIRST AID TRAINING CONTINUES TO GROW

In June, Surf Life Saving NSW reached Research has shown that in Australia, a significant milestone by training its you only have a 10% chance of survival 250,000th person in first aid. if you have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital so the benefits of learning CPR SLSNSW’s registered training arm, the and first aid training are obvious. Australian Lifesaving Academy (ALA), started in 2004 and has since grown “Participants who gain the skills to exponentially, fast becoming one of the respond to an unexpected emergency biggest first aid and CPR Registered through our courses can potentially Training Organisations in NSW. save a life one day. Since 2004, the Australian Lifesaving “We regularly get feedback from Academy has trained over 104,000 clients and trainers who use these people in CPR, more than 83,000 skills they have learnt in real life in first aid and taught basic first aid scenarios in public or at home and I and resuscitation to over 6000 junior myself have been faced with similar school students. emergencies. The skills we teach are truly invaluable and you just never SLSNSW Academy Trainer know when you may need to be Coordinator, Daniel Gay, has prepared,” explained Mr Gay. witnessed the growth of the Academy since he joined the organisation as a Prepare yourself and book a first aid contracted trainer in 2007. course today. It is very simple to enrol or learn more about a variety of first He is now responsible for coordinating aid and CPR courses by visiting the seven full-time trainers and more Surf Life Saving NSW website than 50 contractors throughout the www.surflifesaving.com.au and state teaching first aid in surf clubs, following the links. Discounted rates businesses, schools and more. apply to surf club members. “Since I’ve been involved I’ve witnessed first aid training change so much. We now have courses that are nationally recognised and industry specific and there is so much more emphasis on compliance,” said Mr Gay. Beyond the Flags | 9 IRB Championship photos by Darryl KIAMA DOWNS WINS Bullock and Rachel Fenwick Images

IRB CHAMPIONSHIP “The weekend puts us in good stead for Kiama Downs SLSC is the 2014 Queensland,” said Mr Knight. the Interstate IRB NSW Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Kiama Downs Team Manager, Steven Champion after a weekend of gruelling Championships to be held Guy, said the win was “just unreal.” competition at South West Rocks. at Kingscliff in July, where “We knew we had a chance coming Nineteen clubs from around the state we hope to take the title into the event but it is so exciting to descended on the Mid North Coast win because we have some guys in the from Queensland” with Kiama Downs managing to snatch team who have competed for 18 years the title from rivals Caves Beach SLSC, and have never received a state title. which has won the championships an impressive 10 times. “Kiama Downs is a small club and our focus is on IRB racing. We have put Strong winds, choppy surf and overall TOP 10 OVERALL a lot of effort into training and have unfavourable conditions for racing, developed a style and technique forced competition to be relocated to ensure all our athletes are using POINTSCORE: on Saturday to nearby Arakoon, but consistent approaches in things like that didn’t stop Kiama Downs who patient pick-ups. We entered a few 1) Kiama Downs 95 were a force to be reckoned with after more teams this Championships and backing up from winning the NSW IRB 2) South Maroubra 74 were well represented across the Premiership Series earlier in June. events. 3) Caves Beach 70 Surf Life Saving NSW Surf Sports “It was a bit nasty on Saturday but 4) Catherine Hill Bay 24 Manager, Shane Knight, was delighted luckily for us Kiama Downs is an open 5) Thirroul 23 at the success of the event. beach and we are able to train regularly 6) Queenscliff 20 “We are really excited about how across a variety of conditions. We are much competition has improved this now looking forward to the Interstate 7) Forster 13 year. Overall it was great to see Kiama Championships where anything is 8) Shellharbour 5 Downs take the win as the club has possible,” said Mr Guy. proven themselves as a dominant force 9) Terrigal 3 Kiama Downs finished on 95 points in IRB racing. after winning eight of the 18 finals 10) North Avoca 3 “The weekend puts us in good stead events. They were followed by South for the Interstate IRB Championships Maroubra SLSC on 74 and Caves Beach to be held at Kingscliff in July, where SLSC on 70. we hope to take the title from 10 | Beyond the Flags Beyond the Flags | 11 CLUBBIE PROFILE STEVEN POLLEY

Age: 18 Club: Dee Why SLSC Occupation: Student

Our Clubbie Profile is Steven Polley of Dee Why SLSC who Why do you volunteer for SurfCom? has volunteered an incredible 374.5 hours as a SurfCom I like the fact that the patrol can ask for assistance and Operator during the last season. we can provide the information and resources to them SurfCom Operators are responsible for: whether it be emergency calls or just general enquiries. You • Providing vital communications between surf lifesavers know you’ve done something good and the atmosphere on the beach and emergency services at SurfCom is like a family. It is nice to be part of a team where everyone takes an interest in one another and works • Monitoring the health and wellbeing of SLS support together. It gives me a great feeling. operations crew Who is someone you admire in the Surf Life Saving • Coordinating SLS response to incidents, including rescue movement and why? and medical incidents • Collating patrol and rescue statistics There are a few people that I admire but one of them would be Andrew “Crowie” Crow (Surf Life Saving NSW, Duty • Liaising with council lifeguard services Operations Coordinator). He is always helpful and easy to • Monitoring the performance of the Coastal Radio Network get along with and there is never a dull moment working We chatted to Steven about his amazing passion for Surf Life with him at SurfCom. As I walk in for my shift, Crowie is Saving in the radio room. sitting there, often already responding to the first distinctive When did you join Surf Life Saving and why? siren indicating an emergency callout. You know you are going to have your work cut out for you when it’s 8.20am I joined Surf Life Saving in 2007. I have always liked helping and you see Crowie running four incidents at once. He is people and knowing you can make a difference in someone’s always cool, calm and collected and never lets emotions get life is amazing. I love volunteering in a team environment the better of him. I always wonder how he does it. where you can bounce off others for support. Every day is different, from being on the beach to in the radio room. One What are your goals within Surf Life Saving? day you could be pulling people out of a rip and the next on I would like to become a State Duty Officer or Duty the phone to the Ambulance service passing on information. Operations Coordinator and be responsible for the delivery In the end the result is helping everyone that visits the beach of the Surf Emergency Response System. to be able to go home safely at the end of the day and know If you are interested in becoming a volunteer SurfCom you’ve done a good job. I love just seeing everyone from Operator visit our website or contact Shannon Cooper, the surfers and the swimmers to the people on the sand and SLSNSW Lifesaving Officer. being in the sunshine, it just creates this great vibe to me and that’s what keeps me coming back.

12 | Beyond the Flags UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS

July Australian IRB Interstate Championships, 18-20 July, Cudgen Headland, Kingscliff Pool Rescue Championships, 26-27 July, Peninsula Leisure Centre, Woy Woy

August Australian Pool Rescue Championships, 8-10 August 2014, Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence, 16 August 2014, The Four Seasons Sydney Under-18 Development Team Tour, 29-31 August 2014, Auckland, NZ

September Rescue 2014, 12-21 September 2014, Montpellier, Patrol Season Start, 20 September 2014 Surf Club Open Day, 21 September 2014, across New South Wales

For more upcoming events visit www.surflifesaving.com.au/events

Best Instagram Pic

Beyond the Flags | 13 SURF LIFE SAVING 2 014 NEW SOUTH WALES Awards of Excellence

Saturday 16th August, The Four Seasons Sydney

Surf Life Saving NSW wishes to thank the following OUR MISSION sponsors and supporters for helping our volunteers protect “To save lives, create great Australians lives on the beaches each year. and build better communities.”

Government SUMMARY Surf Life Saving NSW is the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with almost 77,000 members, is one of the largest State Sponsors 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. Preferred State Suppliers 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. National Supporters

For contributions or suggestions please contact SLSNSW Marketing on 02 9471 8000 or email [email protected]

SLSNSW endeavours to ensure all information contained in this publication is correct and true, however /SURFLIFESAVINGNSW accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or mistakes contained in the publication. Sports pictures by Jamie Nilsson, Darryl Bullock, Rachel Fenwick Surf Life Saving New South Wales @SLSNSW 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 @SLSNSW Fundraising Authority No. CFN11033 ABN: 93 827 748 379