By Ron Lane
AS we settle into the month of December, our surf clubs are doing two things; preparing for what looks like being possibly the busiest Christmas season on record, and doing a progress assessment of the season so far.
In preparing for Christmas, let’s first pause for a moment and extend to our support groups, paramedics, police, coast guard, SES, the doctors and nurses of the emergency teams at our local hospital, a big thank you for being there; and of course all the best for the festive season.
Also, it is good to look back over the months and do the review of the season to date.
Happy to relate training teams – in particular those involved in IRB and Jet Rescue Ski patrols (from both clubs) – have reported steady numbers of volunteers, but they are only too happy to accept more. On the weekend five more, an assessor from Sunshine and crewman from Noosa passed their final inspections.
With some of these teams being involved in 24-hour call-out rosters, keeping up the numbers is of the utmost importance.
Another important project that has been underway for several seasons at Noosa has been the Surf Education Program.
This involves the majority of schools in an area that stretches from Yandina to Gympie, and has on occasions seen representatives visit one or two colleges in Brisbane such as Marist Brothers.
Result – an outstanding success; and the overall number of students that now have a good basic knowledge of surf safety is outstanding.
But most important of all, it gives the students an inside look at life in a surf club: end result – future lifesavers may evolve.
At a recent charity boxing night I had occasion to chat with the president of the local AFL club, Rob Pervis.
During our talk he expressed his desire to see his beloved Tigers Club become more involved within the community.
Well it seems that Rob is definitely a man of his word.
Our emergency rescue teams have just been informed that the AFL has offered the playing field at their clubhouse as an emergency helicopter landing pad. This is community involvement at its best. Well done and many thanks to Rob and his team.
Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) six members of our Wave Runner Crews (jet rescue skis) plus 10 support team from Sunshine and Noosa, took part in a night training session which involved the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The session went well and attendance was good. The exercise was held at Noosa’s Main Beach and our lifeguards were also part of the team.
In preparation for the Christmas break, 40 members of Sunshine completed their final proficiencies and are now ready for their patrol rosters.
“This was a big number so many thanks to all officials who worked this detail,” said club captain Scott Summers.
Sunshine’s annual training program for Under 11s to Under 14s – affectionately known as Hell Week – will once again commence on Monday and go through to Friday.
This is a week of training, fun, mateship and team building that promises to keep the young members totally active from sun-up to sun-down.
It has featured on Sunshine’s youth training programs for several seasons and has proven a great success.
Also starting on Monday there will be an intensive training program for their competitors.
Under the supervision of Clint Robinson and his coaching staff of Alex Austin, Kerri Thomas, Pauline Gleeson and Ryan Paroz, this is aimed at giving the competitors the uplift that will stay with them over the Christmas holiday period; we wish them well.
With a busy competitive season ahead, the timing could be just right.
All members of the Sunshine Beach Club join with Noosa in passing on their condolences and best wishes to Sandy Warren and family on the passing of husband and father Bruce.
“We knew of Bruce and respected his input into Noosa,” said a spokesman.
