For our local lifesavers last weekend can only be described as very full-on.
Beach patrols on Peregian, Sunshine Beach and Noosa, the finals of the Nutri Grain Surf Classics at North Cronulla, opening of the new Sunshine Beach clubhouse and a major rescue in National Park involving Noosa patrol members, paramedics and a helicopter evacuation of injured swimmers.
It was definitely a weekend when every aspect of lifesaving training was called upon; rescue work, competition, first aid, club promotion and public relations.
All the virtues that are required for maintaining a safe and successful surf club life.
Glowing reports
The first happening actually occurred in midweek, when the Sunshine Beach club played host to a group of specially invited guest; life members, committee members and VIPs who gathered for a soft opening guided tour of the new clubhouse.
This was followed by drinks and refreshments with the latter giving both the bar and restaurant staff a golden opportunity to test all new facilities.
Following this on Saturday morning, the club was open to the general public and no sooner were the doors opened then people were lined up seeking admission.
‘’The Wednesday evening soft opening was so well attended,” said club President Craig Law with a laugh, “that even the president had wait his turn for a table.’’
Word around is nothing but positive. The official opening will be 14 February and with major sponsors and VIPs on the guest lists, it is sure to be a day to remember.
Well done to all involved with this major project.
A day to remember
For members of Noosa’s Saturday afternoon Patrol 14, it will definitely be one to remember.
Under patrol captain David Tomba it started quietly but by mid-afternoon things had changed; several first aid cases were attended to, a lost child found and a dislocated shoulder treated.
Then just before 4pm the alarm was raised; three people were in trouble in National Park in a rock swimming hole known as the Ferry Pool.
Patrol members were immediately dispatched and on arrival accessed the situation. Three young people were about to enter the pool, when a one meter wave broke on top, knocking them in.
Upon reaching their patients, patrol members found that one had suffered severe injuries the second minor. The third was found to have severe lacerations on head and knee.
Support teams were immediately called, and following further examination by paramedics, the severely injured was treated as suspected spinal.
With surrounding grounds being covered with rocks and a small rocky bank being adjacent, it was deemed impossible to evacuate on foot while carrying a spinal stretcher.
The medevact helicopter was called and the necessary evacuations were performed, with patients being transported to hospital.
“The whole rescue situation had taken hours to complete. On arrival back at our club all gear had to be checked for damage, hosed down, cleaned, and then stored away. By that time it was just on eight o clock,” said Tomba. “It was a tough one but it was all worth the time and effort. However, it again proves what we keep telling people; surf does not have be big to be dangerous. The wave that caused all the trouble was no bigger than one meter.”
Lana wraps it up
On Sunday at North Cronulla, Noosa’s Lana Rogers competed in the last leg of the Nutri Grain Iron woman series finishing in third place.
Having already wrapped up the series Lana said: “It was certainly a tough one and I didn’t feel at my best but I was happy to finish on the podium.”
Regarding future competition she added, “Now that the Nutri-Grain is finished I want to concentrate on individual events; surf swim, ski, board, ironwoman and also the Taplin.”
Good luck to both Sunshine and Noosa competitors for the forthcoming championship season.
