Ron Lane
It is that time of the year when our local lifeguards and lifesavers will again be confronted with massive crowds, some big surf and, on occasion, the aftermath of family walks through the beautiful National Park.
With its beautiful scenery, cuddly koalas, gorgeous parrots and well-kept walkways, it can, on a beautiful sunny day, be nature at its best. Also, there are several beautiful isolated beaches that are very inviting to the weary walkers, sometimes a family group, who just want to cool down.
For those intending to take this walk, before doing so, the responsible parent or group leader, will take the time to talk to those wearing the red and yellow uniforms of the lifesaver and lifeguard.
Don’t hesitate to do so. Part of their training is to be prepared to talk to our beachgoers, and with their local knowledge, they will be only too happy to help.
The words isolated beaches tells the concerned listener that the beautiful stretch of beach is not only very scenic, but also unpatrolled, thus, making it dangerous to the careless ones.
For someone in the park, there will always come the occasion when the walker becomes aware that there is a problem. When this happens, get a mobile and ring 000. On making, contact state the place, problem, people and progress e.g., Granite Bay, swimmers caught in a bad rip 100m out, there are three of them, at present a board rider is trying to help.
On doing so, try to gain high ground, have a shirt, towel or something to wave when the patrol boat arrives in the area. Above all, don’t keep changing your position, stay where you are. When the IRB patrol boat arrives in the area, wave your shirt/towel, so as to attract attention and when visual, assist by pointing in the direction.
But we emphasise again, stay in the immediate area, don’t move around. Remember, when talking on the mobile don’t panic, slow down, speak slowly and precisely. Should you get excited you may jumble your words, have to say again, and thus waste time.
Remember, when in a rescue situation time is of the utmost importance!
Again, talk to the red and yellow Army, don’t swim at unpatrolled beachers, and always stay calm. But above all – don’t booze, eats lots and swim. Enjoy the day.
If you follow this advice, it will be a nice journey home in the family car. Otherwise, it could be a journey in a body bag. The choice is yours.
Outriggers news
According to the Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club grapevine, there was recently great mayhem on the water around Noosa Sound. The Canoe Club was hosting 42 members of the Melbourne real estate firm, Marshall White, for a corporate team building afternoon, in the club’s six- person outrigger canoes.
They were a very competitive group and took no time to master the art of paddle, splash and sledge. After an hour of leisurely sightseeing, paddling around the Sound and precincts, observing the real estate and honing their paddling skills, it was into the more intense racing.
First up it was the relay, with two teams each comprising four canoes over a 300m course. Many took to it like veterans and all races were close. The main game followed with a race over the same distance to determine the champion crew for the day.
Surprisingly, the fancied crew containing four times Olympian and Oarsome Foursome member, Drew Ginn, did not bring home the gold, in a very tight finish. However, Drew did comment, “It was good to be in a boat and see where I was going for a change.”
A convivial gathering concluded a perfect day to showcase the best of Noosa. Also, a note of great importance. On January 22 the 90th birthday of club legend Hugh Bingham will be a day to celebrate, and big supporter, Sandy Bolton, will be in attendance. A great way to continue celebrating the New Year.
Over the last few months, it has definitely been a very busy and progressive time for the Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club. This is a sporting club that definitely has a lot to offer people of all ages. We congratulate them one and all, and wish them a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Karate
The Karate Noosa Club recently rounded off its year with their annual awards dinner attended by some 100 people consisting of members and their families. In his welcome to all, Head Sensi Bryan Dukas 6th Dan said, “It has been a good year, and happy to relate our club is going from strength to strength. In saying this I wish to thank all our instructors for another wonderful year and the parents for their support. A huge highlight was the visit to Australia from South Africa of Mike Dukas, Shihan (8th Dan). On visiting our dojo it gave our students the opportunity to train with this karate master.”
Another distinction was that several members who took their dan grading through the year, were presented with their Dan Certificates, which came from Japan. During the awards ceremony 30 prestigious awards were up for grabs, ranging from outstanding performances through 2022, to the most improved student of the year.
To give some idea as to the wide range that karate caters for, the youngest recipient was five years of age and the oldest was 81.During the presentation a special award was made to honour Stella Edmundson, aged 81 on receiving life membership. Stella, despite her age, still trains at least three times a week.
At the conclusion, Sensi Dukas gave a big vote of thanks to their sponsors for their support during the year.
Regarding next year he said, “In the new year our team will prepare for the World Shotokan Karate Federation, World Championships. These will be held in Japan in November.” We wish the club and the team all the best for the year ahead.
