By RON LANE
IT is the greatest news for Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club in a decade. As a matter of fact it could not be better.
For the first time in 28 years, Maroochydore will stage an international surf life saving event when they play host to the International Surf Rescue Challenge.
To make it even better, it will not be just one carnival, but a series of three.
This three-test series will be held in the month of September with the dates set for Thursday 3, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6, and with five countries competing it will definitely have an international flavor.
The countries to contest the challenge will be New Zealand, US, Japan, South Africa and Australia; and it is expected that the teams will be selected from the Opens and the Youth categories.
“The last time this event was held in Australia was in 2007 and the host club was Bondi Beach in New South Wales,” Maroochydore club president Ralph Devlin said.
“Prior to this, the challenge was held in Durban, South Africa, and Mount Tauronga, New Zealand. For Maroochydore to host such an event gives us a double header for our beach is also one of the three beaches chosen to stage the 2016 Australian titles,” Mr Devlin said.
As we spoke on the phone I couldn’t help but get the feeling that the Right Honorable Mr Ralph Devlin QC was in fact dancing on the ceiling.
A life-member of his club, Ralph has always been known for his loyalty to the Black Swan (Maroochydore Surf Club) and in a time when club loyalty is becoming a thing of the past, his exuberance was not only understandable, but also to be celebrated.
“Our last international was in 1987 and it was just between Australia and New Zealand because at that time the policies of apartheid prevented South Africa from competing,’’ Devlin said. “But this time they will all be here; and rightly so.”
Apart from being one of the host clubs for the 2016 Australian Titles, 2016 will also be the year that the Black Swan celebrates its centenary of patrolling Maroochydore Beach. With a record of no lives lost while life savers on patrol they definitely have a reason to celebrate. Well done to all concerned.
Another accolade for Sunshine Coast life saving has been the appointment of Santo Della Bianca as Carnival Referee for the three-test series. Bianca’s appointment – plus the fact that a lot of the carnival officials will come from the Sunshine Coast – is indeed something in which we can take great pride.
Devlin, who apart from holding the post as Maroochydores president, also holds the office of president of Surf Life Saving Queensland, was right when he said: “By hosting the challenge series plus the national titles, it has put the Sunshine Coast back on the map for conducting international and national surf sport events”.
A big congratulations and welcome home to Noosa’s Jordan Mercer following her fifth consecutive win in the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Marathon in Hawaii. Despite having won five in a row, this young lady still has her feet firmly on the ground and her big smile and friendly personality makes her the real deal; a champion in every sense of the word. Well done to the whole Mercer team.
On Sunday morning supporters of Noosa’s Martha Kneale – the young lifesaver who on the 15 August will attempt a 12km surf-swim from Mudjimba to Mooloolaba – gathered at a fund-raising barbecue to help raise the necessary $1000 entry fee.
All these proceeds raised by the swimmers will go towards Nambour Special Schools. A magnificent gesture by all concerned.
With her dad backing up in the escort boat we know her effort will be second to none.
