On Saturday at 6:30 am, patrolling members, nippers, and guests gathered at Noosa’s Main Beach for the Flag Raising ceremony, marking the start of the 2025/26 season. The Australian Flag was raised by a club member, the Aboriginal Flag by a Gubbi Gubbi representative, and the Torres Strait flag by their representative.
Acting Club President Steve Mawby stated, “I welcome all guests and visitors. It is encouraging to see many people in attendance. We wish everyone a safe and successful year.” Mayor Frank Wilkie was then called on to address the gathering. “Thank you for the invitation to be here. This club is the most engaged with the local indigenous community, and I wish everyone the best for the upcoming season.”
The representative of the Gubbi Gubbi people then addressed the beach and speaking to all took the opportunity to explain many traditional meanings of things that were on display. To close the ceremony Noosa Club Captain Trevor King then thanked everyone when he said, “I thank everybody for being here to help us start the new season and wish you all a safe season”
For the Noosa Club beach patrols for Main Beach could not be better. As things stand a total of 17 patrols are now on roster for the year ahead. Club Captain Trevor King stated, “I am extremely pleased. We are now in a position where a lot of past members are coming back to the restart their patrol rosters: a total of 17 patrols is now on the new roster. The best situation we have been in for several season.”
For the Seahorse Nippers who were in attendance it was to be the end of their season and for the 37 members on the beach all went well. Participants engaged in their regular beach and surf activities, which were followed by the annual presentation of trophies.’
A major highlight this season for our Seahorse Nippers would have to be the Adaptive Events: events that will be held during the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, 21 to 29 March at North Kirra and Tugan.
This will be the third time that they have been part of the program: events that cater for children in need. It is expected that some 50 competitors from all over Australia will take part, in this highly successful annual event. Good to see members from Sunshine Beach SLSC once again working as helpers.
On the Surf Sports side four athletes proudly represented Noosa Heads at the Shaw and Partners Iron Series Titles over the weekend. Finella Gibbs-Beal, Levi Mayes, Darcy Lewis and Lachie Caple all put in an outstanding performance. Although they did not advance to the Sunday rounds for the series conclusion, the experience offered important lessons for the upcoming season.
This weekend marks the opening round of the World Ocean Series at Burleigh Heads. Noosa will have a team of athletes competing, from U11 to open-age groups. It is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend of racing and the club is eager to face up the nations best. The club has also been busy with the launch of the school holiday Kayak Development Program.
Designed to teach young lifesavers the fundamentals of paddling, the program provides a stepping stone toward surf ski paddling. Over the next one to three years, participants will build exceptional technique, ensuring that as they progress into ski paddling, they are immediately competent and confident.
Adding to the excitement Noosa recently welcomed two new athletes from South Africa – Levi Mays and Caitlin Brouckaert. Both athletes have already become part of the Noosa family, and the club is looking forward to seeing them in action around the cans in the maroon and white. A big warm welcome to you both.
The Sunshine Beach SLSC also started their season with a Raising of the Flags. Club captain Russell Quinn also reported strong patrol rosters for the coming season, with 230 members across 12 patrols scheduled to cover their areas. One of their problem areas would have to be Alexandria Bay, this beautiful but dangerous stretch of beach. With jet skis and irb teams on call their response times to problems has been second to none.
Looking back over the season it has indeed been a good one for the Sunshine crew. At the recent SLSQ State Awards for Excellence Beach Patrol1 members were presented with the Jack Dearlove MBE Medal for Lifesaving Excellence. This award recognised their role in the recovery of a fisherman washed off the rocks at Hells Gates and bought to Sunshine Beach by Waverunner 19.
The patrol provided first aid to the patient who had taken on a significant amount of water and suffered numerous injuries. Transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital by QAS, he remained in recovery for two days. Sunshine Beach Life Member Tony Frost has decided to hang up his patrol cap. He began his career back in the 1959/60 season at Long Reef SLSC where he is still a Life Member.
His passion continued when he moved to Queensland and joined Sunshine in 1989. Since 2012 Tony has been a valued member of Patrol1. His decade of service reflects commitment and community service at its best. We look forward to acknowledging his outstanding contribution to his club.
Jason Hooper has recently returned after enjoying some well-earned recovery time with his family: following his successful swim of the English Channel. Jason, from Patrol 9 crossed the 32km English Channel in 10 hrs 59 mins. Well done you have done us proud.
“Sunshine recently welcomed Georgia Stroud to the Sunshine Beach family, as our new Lifesaving Administrator. Georgia brings a strong background in surf lifesaving from New Zealand as a volunteer, lifeguard, coach and administrator. In her role as Canterbury Program Supervisor with Surf Life Saving New Zealand, she worked extensively in programme delivery, lifeguard operations and club development”
Boxing
At the recent Elite Queensland State Amateur Championships, Luke Austin delivered what may have been the finest performance of his career, competing against the current Australian champion. Despite going well in rounds 1and 2 Austin faded late in the 3rd and as a result lost in a split decision.
For Hunter Somerville he fought in what could only be described as a full-on war. However, a serious cut sustained by Sommerville in the third round proved to be a significant setback, ultimately resulting in another split decision. In the third bout, Skye Winehart concluded what has already been her most successful year in boxing.
Winehart boxed exceptionally well to win her semi-final. She followed up with another strong performance to win the 51 kg Elite Division Women’s. Coach Mark Evans called it a breakthrough, showing Skye is among the state and country’s elite.
Coach Mark Evans stated, “As a coach, sometimes performance is more important to me than results.” For Luke and Hunter, we never look at losses, only lessons. Both boys will be back bigger and better…And for Skye both performances and results were a testament to the hard work and dedication that she has shown in the gym of late: I could not be prouder of all three of them.”
After the tournament, Coach Evans thanked his wife and assistant coach Kylie Evans, as well as Andrew Davey for assisting in the corner. A special shout out to the Davey family for their unwavering support of all our fighters.”
Weightlifting.
The club has been busy with the season in full swing with the final club round this weekend: and then on to masters, nationals senior and junior nationals. An update coming next week of the club’s season so far post state championships. If interested in watching the sport the club round will be on from10am at CrossFit 4566 Lionel Donovan Drive. Come and watch some of Noosa’s strongest.
