SurfLIFEISSUE 42 - April 2020 - Surf Life Saving NSW
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SurfLIFE
ISSUE 42 – April 2020
AUSSIE LIFESAVERS share Surf Rescue know-how with Thai Lifeguards A team of Australian Surf Life Saving trainers recently travelled to Phuket in Thailand to run lifeguard, 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
ocean rescue skills and 54 Training program coordinator
Phuket Lifeguard Service, David Field said the event was
high school students received was held to celebrate the end
training in personal water safety an opportunity to present the
of a very successful training second edition of the Thai
and rescue. program and to promote the Lifesaving 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 Australia’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 drowning 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 at the event. The book, Pirate
Lifeguard Service trainers from
skills exchanges between Kim: Let’s Go Swim by Thu-
SLSNSW who spent the week
lifeguards from Phuket and Trang Tran, was published with
in Phuket training their local
Australia in the future,” said support from the Australian
counterparts.
Consul-General Matthew Government’s Direct Aid
Barclay. The closing ceremony was Program.
attended by the Deputy
Australian Lifeguard Service’s Two highlights of the ceremony
Governor of Phuket, Mayor of
international training program were Australian trainer, Lachlan
Patong, Commissioner of the
coordinator, Steve Allan, from Field’s demonstration of the
Dept of Education, Consular
the NSW South Coast, said capabilities of SLSNSW’s UAV
representatives from Australia,
that the week provided the (drone) technology and a
France, Chile and Brazil, Patong
opportunity for Australian demonstration by Thai trainees
Police Department Disaster
trainers to work with local Thai of a fast-paced rescue scenario
Management team, Patong
trainers to facilitate ongoing, to showcase their new skills and
Municipal Council members,
localised training. knowledge.
Phuket Hotels Association
“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.
T
he first female surf Jenny Kenny, from Cudgen
lifesavers began patrolling Headland on the NSW Far
in 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 Beach. 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 flags. 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
Cathy Cole.
aspect of Surf Life Saving - and
“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 beaches.
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 Sydney 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
drownings 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
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02 9471 8021 | kcodd@surflifesaving.com.auLIFESAVERS 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 HumphriesG
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
said 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,”
Jimmy Keough said.
training and the skills they give
“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.THE DAY THE B
ateman’s Bay Surf Life
Saving Club volunteers
APOCALYPSE
couldn’t have anticipated
the bushfires that would ravage
their community that day and
CAME TO the pivotal role they would play
in saving thousands of lives.
BATEMANS BAY By 10am bushfires were bearing
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!“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. wife Anna and their
each and every Surf Life Saving member
“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 CoppelWe 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 first aid,
than you first thought,” said were just fantastic. comforting those who were in
Baxter. a state of panic and emotional,
“We spent the night on the
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.“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
Photos: Alex Coppel
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 aOff duty lifesavers The award-winning rescue
occurred at 7.45pm on Saturday
HEROES
1 February. James McLennan,
who is Club Captain at Bronte
Surf Life Saving Club, and his
wife Kirsty were relaxing at their
home at Bronte beach. The sun
in Bronte rescue was going down and light was
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
from the beach. Being a surf
A mass rescue that was 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
hundreds of metres out to sea. difficult,” James said.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 board training provided by the
Ambulance paramedics were on “It was the most incredible
rescue I’ve ever heard of. It was club.
the way to assist.
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
Photo credits: Foxfotos (left), News Ltd. (right)
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.SURFING
The NSW Government has
provided funding for Surf Life
Saving to trial ways to enhance
THE NET
the safety of the public on our
beaches and reduce the rate of
coastal drownings each year in
NSW.
to save lives “By funding this initiative,
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
Elliott.
have real-time safety information
Surf Life Saving NSW President
at their fingertips with the rollout 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 inNSW: 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.
O
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.
Kennedy-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,
5.30pm, local Redhead resident “We were finishing a race and I was relieved because he was
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
caught his
I was immediately assessing the conditions and Lily paddled
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 the board squad responded
“By then a young girl in the training kicked in so I knew
squad saw what was going on very quickly to the situation.
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
boys were getting themselves
This was my first rescue and I was really
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 recognition,” said George
into Surf Life Saving – going on “You can measure the value of
surf clubs to the community in Shales.
for years to come,” said Jet.LIVING ROOM
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New Online CPR Training Program
Online Learning Live Webinar Face-to-Face
For all booking enquiries please email training@surflifesaving.com.au,
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WORK
finally
PAYS
OFF!
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
nervous going into the second loved it that way, and the crowd
last round in the 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
I could get the same result just back-to-back eliminator rounds
The first event of the series, that day, she’d done it. Lizzie
the iconic Coolangatta Gold behind Lana Rogers.”
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.
South Africa 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
me calm.”
Manly Ironman Kendrick Louis 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.
and a life-long dream.
achievable.”
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, KendrickSTATE 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
media@surflifesaving.com.au
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 New South Wales
T +61 2 9471 8000 F +61 2 9471 8001 E info@surflifesaving.com.au
3 Narabang Way Belrose NSW 2085 | PO Box 307 Belrose NSW 2085 Australia
Fundraising Authority No. CFN11033 ABN: 93 827 748 379You can also read
