By RON LANE
IT IS that time of the year when we acknowledge those who have shown outstanding dedication and loyalty to their clubs.
They usually go about their duties quietly and with no fuss; these people are definitely the backbone of our organization. Solid and always there.
One such man is Sunshine Beach Patrol Captain David Woithe.
Described by his club president Craig Law as a quite achiever, he has given 13 years of service to his club.
In public acknowledgement, on Monday evening at the Noosa Convention Centre he received the Queensland Day Award for services to lifesaving. Congratulations from all.
With the Molokai 2 Oahu World Paddle Championship fast approaching, Noosa’s Jordan Mercer, who has won the championship an incredible five times, is well and truly back in training.
On Saturday morning, accompanied by several of her Noosa club mates and under the supervision of her father and coach Darren, working from a support boat, Jordan left the beach at the Mooloolaba Surf Club at 7am for a board paddle back to Noosa.
Paddling next to Jordan for the full session was her club mate and fellow endurance paddler Lachlan Lansdown.
For Lachlan his goal is twofold.
First, to again compete in the Molokai race and then in August the Catalina Classic off the coast of California. Both races are over a distance of 52km.
“It is a good training course,” said Darren.
“The distance is just under 40km and they finish in about three hours.
“The sea conditions were flat so that makes it a bit tougher. There were no swells, so they could not pick up a runner to help make things easy.”
Also in the group were the Williams brothers, Bailey and Cooper.
It was these two young Noosa lifesavers who last season made a big impression by winning a total of 18 medals competing at state and national level.
Add to the list of achievements, Cooper was also awarded the Peter Lacey Medal by the Carbine Club of Queensland as the most outstanding U/17 Queensland competitor of the year.
Another young member to take advantage of this tough course was 16-year-old Grace Kaihau, also a medal winner at the national titles.
At this year’s titles Noosa competitors made club history when, for the first time ever, they made the finals in both the ladies’ and the men’s open Taplin relay.
Interesting to note that the two girls and the three boys taking part in this endurance training paddle were members of their respective Taplin teams that created club history.
To be still performing tough training routines after a heavy summer of competition speaks volumes for the character of our young people.
In support of the paddlers were Paul Peterson and Paul Matters duty boat, which was responsible for all aspects of safety, and fellow master ski people Doug Ripper, Rob Harney and Andy Pannifex.
For Lachlan, who works as a lifeguard, the surf is definitely a family affair with both parents and a sister serving as patrolling members in Noosa.
Lachlan is also one of the original helpers to work with the Seahorses nippers, an achievement of which his club is very proud.
Saturday evening for the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club was indeed the night to remember.
Not only did members celebrate their Centenary of Service as lifesavers to the community of Maroochydore, but at the same time they took the occasion to acknowledge the continued and outstanding contribution to club and community of Life Member Ralph Devlin.
After 45 years of service, Ralph was elevated to the position of Life Governor, a title that is awarded by the Life Members of the club.
It was only fitting that the president of Surf Life Saving Australia, Graham Ford, was in attendance to witness the presentation of this honour.
