ISSUE 3 WINTER 2014 Beyond the Flags Busy Season for Lifeguards First Aid Training Milestone IRB Champions: Kiama Downs Athlete Profile: Nathan Foster Clubbie Profile: Steven Polley AUSTRALIAN LIFEGUARD 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 Australia. 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.