By RON LANE
IT IS an ongoing mission; the recruitment and training of our surf club members wishing to join the IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) rescue teams. Happy to relate, this season the recruitment drive has been successful.
One of the major contributing factors has without a doubt been the close and now joint working relationship that now exists between Sunshine Beach, Noosa and Peregian. In the words of Sunshine Beach captain Scott Summers: “The work relationship between our clubs is fantastic, probably the best ever, just the way it should be. Training on the same level we all get to know each other very well and in rescue patrol work this is of the utmost importance.”
On Thursday evening of last week another squad of six crewies and two drivers started their training by attending a lecture evening hosted by the Sunshine Beach Club. With a combination of instructors and trainees there was a total of thirteen clubbies from Noosa and Sunshine Beach in attendance.
Under the chairmanship of Steven Boyd of Sunshine the rookies received a very full and detailed introduction as to what lay ahead. A DVD of the type of surf they would be required to work in was shown.
Also during the evening Trevor King, a veteran of some 37 years, was one who stressed the importance of the wash down and maintenaince checks. Trainees were made to understand that this section of the course was of the utmost importance as lives could depend on the upkeep of their craft.
Following this, the team was taken into the gear room where Chris Grandemange gave an introductory talk on the craft itself. The team was then informed that their surf training would commence at 7.30am Saturday at the Noosa club.
It was during this part of the briefing that the hint of discipline started to appear for the rookies were informed that a 7.30 start meant that they were required to assemble at no later than 7.15am. This would ensure the necessary boat and gear check was carried out before the boats entered the water. This attitude is of the utmost importance for a rescue team without discipline is doomed to fail.
The Saturday session would be followed by another on Sunday with both running over a period of some three and a half hours. The water training would be conducted in various areas such as Noosa’s Main Beach, Noosa River Mouth and First Cutting Noosa’s North Shore.
The choice of these areas was up to the instructors and their final choice would depend on the surf conditions plus the level of competence that the team has achieved.
Next weekend the training will be conducted at Sunshine Beach and Alexandria Bay. During these sessions the crewies are exposed to parallel running (that is craft running inside the break), punching through waves and most important of all the patient pick up. This particular exercise is of the utmost importance for the rescue work will on many occasions be conducted inside the break in big surf; so the art of patient pick up must be perfected.
Let us for even one moment, never forget that a lot of these crewies (as with all our lifesavers volunteers) are 16/17 year old girls and boys. Why at this stage in life are they prepared to go in harms way and risk everything?
In the words of Oliver Blight female driver, engineering student and part time lifeguard, “It’s simple. We are doing something important and above all we love it. Great team, great instructors and protecting lives. A truly great challenge.”
