By RON LANE
THE winter months continue to be busy for our local surf clubs, for as we have previously stated, that time of the year is all about planning and overhauling for the season ahead.
At Sunshine Beach, renovations to upgrade clubhouse facilities for the active members is well and truly underway.
“The restructure for the active members section of the clubhouse, kitchen and toilet facilities is progressing nicely,” said club captain Scott Summers.
“It will be well and truly finished before the start of the season. Also we are due to start proficiencies and our first will be held on 20 September at the NAC starting at 7am and then back to the beach for 8am start. Regarding new membership, I would like to take the opportunity to say a very sincere welcome to Clint Robinson who has joined our coaching staff. I am sure his knowledge and experience will be a major asset for our club.”
For Sunshine’s little people, the Nippers, their sign on day will be Saturday 5 September from 9am till 3 at the NAC.
On Saturday afternoon, several of Sunshine’s finest will travel to Brisbane for the official state dinner to be held at the Town Hall. This is the occasion when the top awards covering all sections of Queensland Surf Life Saving are announced and following their outstanding achievements during the season, there is every chance that they will return with several awards. We wish them well.
Back over the hill at Noosa, their brothers in arms are also pushing the starters button for next season. For any club to be truly successful all areas of club life must be covered; not just patrols and competition.
With this in mind, Noosa Old Boys Chairman and Life Member Ross Fisher, is busy organising their next function which will be held on Saturday 12 September at Par 3 Golf Course starting at noon. This will be followed by their Annual Meeting which will commence at 3pm sharp and followed with a barbecue at 4pm.
“The club is going great and we are hoping for a good roll up,” said Fisher. “This will give the old boys the chance to renew old mateships and this is an important part of our club history. We must never forget that it is these men who helped get us where we are today. No money and just the bare essentials in equipment, but we all stood together and when necessary called a spade a spade.”
Light training sessions have started for the Noosa boat crews. So far we have two masters’ crews and an Under-23s,” said boat coach and sweep David Tomba.
“We are hoping to form women’s crews and also a Under-19 men’s, so anyone interested should contact the club. We would love to hear from you.”
The first carnival will be the end of October on the Gold Coast and it will be the first round of the Navy Series.
While talking boats the Noosa club has a surf boat for sale. Just three years old it is still in good condition. Interested parties are invited to ring the clubhouse on 5474 5688 for further information.
Recently I received the news that Noosa Boat Captain Phil Bowden had announced his retirement. There can be no doubt that this clubbie did a great job and whoever follows will have big shoes to fill; no easy task. His communication skills and ability to pull everyone together was second to none; and when the need arose he didn’t pull a bad oar. On behalf of the Life Member Group and “The Laney”, many thanks mate for your loyalty and a job well done.
