By RON LANE
ANOTHER summer season for our three beaches Main Beach Noosa, Sunshine Beach and Peregian has been completed and proud to relate once again, “No Lives Lost,” while lifesavers were on patrol.
However, there has been an increase in accidents on some beach areas, but stats reveal they have occurred away from the flags. If only more people would talk to the lifesavers in the red and yellow and ask questions; talking to our beach goers is part of the job of being a patrolman.
One thing that is of concern is the increase in spinal injuries. However, again this factor could be reduced if swimmers were to seek advice when they see the surf is up; and remember the golden rule – It does not have to be big to be dangerous.
On the weekend, the Noosa club played host to the first ever Think Tank seminar to be held in support of the Seahorse Nippers. Happy to relate it was a total success and all intentions are to go again in 12 months. With delegates attending from Victoria and NSW, a strong support group was required to ensure a successful outcome was achieved.
As always there is a big workload performed behind the scenes. Big Peter Williams and his mates covered the parking problems and to back up the administration team, Lorna Garden, Donald McKill, Craig Moore, the Lansdown family, Rob and Lucia Neely, Little Joe, Jose-Pablo Aguirre and Zoe Stuart just to mention a few, gave their all.
The staff of the Surf Club under Anton Mogg was as always very attentive.
Also let’s not forget to thank those young clubbies who worked as helpers with the Seahorse Nippers during their season. The importance of these people cannot be stressed enough.
When delegates from interstate visit Noosa regardless of their purpose or organisation, the role played by these work forces is what makes their stay one to remember. Or as two lady delegates said on leaving, “Thank you Noosa for your hospitality.” It reflects on the whole town.
At the recent National Titles, it was good to see Sunshine Beach and Noosa supporting one of our traditional events, the Belt Race. In recent times, there has been a tendency to forget traditions, so to have belt swimmers in both our clubs is a matter of pride; so to these swimmers and coaches a very sincere thank you; with tradition comes pride.
Another well done must surely go to those young clubbies who contested the Champion Patrol and Champion Lifesaver events. Despite the fact that these get little or no recognition, these events are, and always will be, what lifesaving is all about. Proud to say that in these events Sunshine Beach is definitely one of the best in Australia, and Noosa, who has just made a start in this area, has definitely gained respect from officials.
What is truly a major positive is the fact that this season there has been an increase in training courses in which Noosa and Sunshine have joined together to train as one unit. To all those members of the training team thank you for a job well done.
Also the training between Noosa and Peregian has been in the words of Brett Leckie of Peregian, “All very positive. We are keeping our presence ongoing, and this has been great for the community.”
The Surf Awareness programs being introduced into our schools by Noosa’s education manager Greg McLaughlin and his team continues to go from strength to strength. With busloads of students arriving from as far away as Brisbane and Gympie, the future of lifesaving in Queensland looks better every year. Well done to all- a very successful and positive season.
