A Word from Our President Stretch Feb 2025

Members, with the Christmas Holidays now well behind us and students back at school after a long break, its full steam ahead on all fronts at the club.
Here’s a short summary of the last 2 months;

• Our Patrolling members have carried out a remarkable job tending to record crowds, significant first aid cases and blue bottle stings and on some patrols numerous rescues in challenging conditions.
• On the 27th January, Patrol 12 led by Simon Torsellini confronted massive crowds and challenging surf conditions resulting in a big group of swimmers being washed off a sand bank and into a massive rip. It was fantastic to see the team swing into action on rescue boards, IRB and tubes alongside Lifeguards. This mass rescue was recognised by Sydney Branch as their Rescue of the Month. Well done team and a great lesson for all our lifesavers to be vigilant and competent on rescue boards and in the surf.
• After hours rescues have featured this year and great to see members and the public chip in to help swimmers in trouble. Also in the month of January, our after hours rescue gear was utilised by the public to rescue a swimmer in the south end rip. Please always keep an eye on our beach whenever down at the club.
• Congrats to Murph Renford on his successful completion of 30+k Derwent River Tasmania marathon swim to raise funds for the Rainbow Club. Over $50+k raised by Murph, what an effort!
• Branch Championships have been run and won at Wanda, well done to the many members who excelled. A great test to see where we sit against other clubs and work needed as we head towards State and Australian Titles.
• Our Sportsperson Day was simply the best. Thank you to those members that were part of the sell out crowd and thank you to our guest speakers, event donors and members that helped to pull this together.
• A big South Maroubra welcome to our new surf boat sponsor Warren, Hazel, Alex and Anne from Ultra Randwick and Fast & Ezy, your local store along with Jordan and Dorian from Kamber Construction. We had a wonderful Christening of this fantastic boat with Fr Paul O’Donohue.
• Well done to our IRB Leadership Team who conducted a very successful ‘ Have a Go Day’ last weekend and distributed their 2025 Competition Plan. I’m sure existing IRB Drivers and Crew would be welcome to join this off season competition team. Enquiries to Brett Gibson.
• State Titles commence in 2 weeks, best of luck to our very big Nipper, Masters and Open teams. The club was excited to provide all team members with a full touring uniform.
• SPONSOR NEEDED CAN YOU HELP? Our magnificent Surf Club bus is due for changeover after Aussie Title travel commitments in April. We will be purchasing a brand new replacement bus and now searching for one or two sponsors to advertise on one or both sides of our NEW bus, sponsor branding can take the full centre area of  the bus on both sides, an excellent PR and advertising tool as this bus travels throughout Sydney and interstate.
  
  •  3 years sponsorship @ $25k plus cost of advertising decals. Can you refer us to a suitable sponsor? Please email [email protected]
• Our club very much appreciates the support of our sponsors and supporters. Friday week we will be hosting our annual sponsors lunch on the balcony of Horizons with fine food, refreshments and great company.  Invitations should be received shortly.
• Our Social Sundays and Private Functions have proven to be a big hit for members and locals alike. A beautiful, peaceful  place to bring families and friends whilst enjoying wonderful service from our bar staff and ambience of the area. We’re open every Sunday 10.45am to 7pm and for your Private Functions simply refer to our website or email [email protected]

See you at South Maroubra SLSC, the best club in the east!
Paul ‘Stretch’ Fownes APM OAM
President