Ron Lane
One of the most important and successful programs ever introduced by the Surf Life Saving Association, is their Surf Education Program. Since its introduction in the Noosa Heads Club, it has been an outstanding success. The fact is, that we take the chance to not only introduce our little people to lifesaving but, above all, teach them the most important lessons: water safety and how to stay alive in water.
Visitors to our beach during the week will often see big groups of kids in school uniforms arriving at the surf club. This term will see 14 schools from across the district and as far afield as Deception Bay and Gympie participating in the program, catering for up to 800 students a week, over a 10- week period. A flyer drawn up by the Noosa education officer Lyndon Forlonge gives us a good insight into the structure and purpose, something I feel is of the most importance to the mums and dads.
Many schools attended a two-hour weekly session over four weeks during which students participatef in swimming, nipper boards and iron (man) fitness, a challenge that combines swimming, running, board paddling and surf boards. As the weekly program progresses, more surf lifesaving rescue techniques are introduced. Program voordinator Lyndon Forlonge states, “Many students missed out last year due to Covid restrictions, however, we have been able to provide the extra staff to cater for those schools this term. With so many people enjoying our beaches over the summer, it’s fantastic to be able to equip these students with the skill and confidence in the water, and be able to identify hazards or potentially, save someone’s life.”
Surf Education at the Noosa club not only focuses on primary school children but also caters to secondary school students with courses run in Certificate 2 Public Aquatic Rescue. These courses rewards students with up to four QCE points towards their final school certificates. Also, the option for more advanced training is available, including surf rescue certificates, Bronze Medallion, first aid, resuscitation and advanced resuscitation technique courses all on offer. Those requiring more information about the surf education program available at the Noosa Club are invited to contact Lyndon at education@noosasurfclub.com.au or 5448 0900.
It was once again that time of the year when the members of Noosa Heads, Sunshine and Coolum Beach Surf Lifesaving Cubs banded together to provide the water safety for the Noosa Triathlon festivities. Starting on Wednesday morning, the Run Swim Run Event saw 190 competitors lined up. For this two IRBs and 23 rescue boards were on duty and for the Friday afternoon event, the 2XU-1000 Ocean Surf Swim, a total of four IRBs with drivers and crewies and 25 rescue boards, provided the necessary water safety. Under the supervision of Noosa Club captain Roger Aspinall their duty was to provide support for an estimated 700 swimmers. Happy to relate all went well.
However, the major swim of the weekend was the swim leg of the triathlon. The triathlon had, despite the borders being closed, an incredible number of entries, so the water safety people covering this leg were kept very busy. Leaving the beach in a total of 22 waves, the swimmers were allocated waves according to their age groups. An IRB spokesperson said the swim was incident-free.
“When you consider the number of swimmers, to think there were no major incidents is outstanding. The first wave left the beach at 6.15am and the last at 9.45am.To think that they were all from Queensland (because of Covid restrictions) shows the great support that this event received.”
Again, the roster for water safety was supervised by Roger Aspinall.
“The number of swimmers, and the fact that it was incident-free, shows how well organised the event was, so it’s well done to all involved. This includes a big thank you to the surf clubs who provided water safety officers.”
One reason we inform you about these people who volunteer for these seemingly easy jobs is the fact that, in reality, some who could find themselves in a really bad and dangerous situation, are in fact still teenagers. Thus, it is important that they are not taken for granted and that their efforts are indeed acknowledged.
Last week, for a lot of our older generation in the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving club, was indeed a very sad occasion. It was during that time that we received word of the passing of one of our highly respected family group, Mrs Helen Irvine. Aged 93, this great lady, for her outstanding services to the Noosa Heads club, 10 years, and the Northcliffe club 25 years, was indeed a very highly decorated member of our organisation. She was in fact, one of that elite group who held the rare honour of being a life member of Northcliffe Surf club, a life member the Gold Coast Branch and a life member of Queensland State Centre.
To be the recipient of one life membership is a high honour, but to receive three awards is indeed unique. But the honours don’t stop there, for her husband David, who passed away in January of 2014, was also the reciperant of the same three life memberships. Helen and David received their awards on the same occasions. Helen leaves behind a family of four, brothers Tim, Rod and Cameron and daughter Alison. Tim, who is now a life member of Noosa club, makes this family unique in the Australian surf lifesaving history: it is indeed one of the few who have a total of seven life memberships in the one family. A family dedicated to the protection of those who come to bathe on our beaches.
Helen, who speciality was first aid, and David’s, communication, joined Noosa in 1979 as members of what proudly became known as the Murgon Mob, a group of young people who all came from that small country of Murgon. So as we bid a sad farewell to Helen, it is only right that we say Vaya Con Dios, dear lady, Vaya Con Dios.
