By RON LANE
LAST week for our lifesavers was indeed very busy. Apart from their normal obligations both Sunshine and Noosa once again supplied water safety officers for the annual Run Swim Run, Eyeliner Swim and the Noosa Triathlon. Wednesday saw rescue board and IRB patrols covering the Run Swim Run.
Friday was the Eyeliner Swim, the biggest water event of the week and this required some 20 board, three IRB and ski patrols. Sunday again saw board and IRB patrols on duty for the triathlon. Happy to say all went well.
Noosa IRB captain Chris Grandemange said: “This week is the biggest week on our calendar for water safety patrols. Happy to say there was no major problems.
“Apart from Sunshine Beach and us, Coolum and Mudjimba also sent patrol members to help, so it really was community effort from all our clubs. These events give us the opportunity to really be involved and say thanks to the community for their support through the years.”
With the Noosa Tri Week and the national award winning Seahorse Nippers just completed, it is shaping up to be one of the most community involved seasons on record for our local lifesavers.
Jet Rescue Boat 3, the high powered rescue vessel that is primarily designed for rescue work in cyclonic conditions will soon be back in the water after a major overhaul and repaint.
This craft, which weighs in at approximately 2.5 ton and has a top speed of some 35 knots, has a roving patrol area of Teerwah to Coolum. To give some indication as to the type of rescue work these crews can be called on to perform, at last years National Awards Night in Sydney, a black tie event, the majority of bravery awards went to the crewies belonging to the Jet Rescue Boat Service.
Definitely not a job for the faint-hearted.
Co-ordinator for Teewah Coolum area Chris Doney said, “At present we have 15 patrol members for our region. This number covers crewies, drivers and skippers and these consist of both male and female. The top position is skipper.
“To hold this position usually requires some 200 hours of training, so as you can see our people are really dedicated.
“They come from clubs from anywhere between Redcliffe and Noosa and we often find some are also patrol captains back on their home beach. Highly qualified people looking for more advanced training and experience.”
As our water safety patrols were performing their duties our competitors were also showing their colors at the Coolangatta Gold on the Gold Coast.
“Despite only sending a small team from Noosa I was more than happy with our results,’’ said Noosa’s Head Coach Darren Mercer.
“On Saturday our juniors competed in the short course events.
“In the ladies’ U/19 Alex Nolan finished second and for the veterans Julie Stanton was third in the 40/49 age group. In the men’s division veteran Rob Harney finished second in the U/50 short course. A small team but all went well.”
Despite being only 16 years of age, Sunshine’s Tom Wilson contested the U/19 event and finished in the top 10.
“This was my first Gold … great experience. Now I have learnt how to pace myself, I am really looking forward to next year,” Tom said.
This weekend the Noosa boat crews will contend the first round of the Navie Series at Surfers Paradise and towards the end of the month Jordan Mercer will contest the first round of this seasons Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series at Smiths Beach West Australia. We wish them well.
