Following the fantastic results from our pool rescue team at the NSW State Pool Life Saving Championships earlier this year, and months of training, a team of ten junior and youth members travelled to the Gold Coast in August to compete in the Australian Pool Rescue Championships. The team had a very successful championships and we would like to congratulate them on winning fourteen championship medals.
GOLD
 Under 12 Boys 100m Obstacles – Billy Holford
SILVER
 Under 12 Boys 100m Obstacles – Jacob Roorda
 Under 12 Boys 50m Brick Carry – Jacob Roorda
 Under 12 Boys 50m Freestyle with Fins – Billy Holford
 Under 12 Boys 10m Line Throw – Tenison Millward & Liam Knibbs
 Under 12/13 Boys 4x50m Obstacles Relay – Billy Holford, Jacob Roorda, Liam Knibbs, Tenison Millward
 Under 14 Boys 50m Manikin Carry – Ryan McNamara
 Under 14 Boys 10m Line Throw – Ryan McNamara & Jordan Pribadi
BRONZE
 Under 12 Boys 50m Brick Carry – Billy Holford
 Under 12 Boys 50m Freestyle with Fins – Jacob Roorda
 Under 12/13 Boys 2x50m Patient Tow – Billy Holford & Jacob Roorda
 Under 12/13 Boys 4x50m Medley Relay – Billy Holford, Jacob Roorda, Liam Knibbs, Tenison Millward
 Under 14 Boys 50m Freestyle with Fins – Owen Roorda
   Under 14/15 Boys 4x50m Obstacles Relay – Ryan McNamara, Owen Roorda, Jordan Pribadi, Christopher Kondilios

Congratulations also to Ryan McNamara and Owen Roorda who were selected as the Under 14 male representatives in the NSW Interstate Pool Rescue Team. Following three days of competing in individual and team events, the NSW team placed second place overall in the Australian Pool Rescue Interstate Championships.
Thanks to our coach and team manager Renae McNamara, as well as all of the parents who assisted the team. We look forward to the team competing at the Australian Pool Rescue Championships again in season 2024/2025 in Adelaide.

The Club is currently seeking expression of interests (EOIs) for the below courses. Please note the minimum ages for each course are depicted in brackets below. The Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for the IRBC. Dates are TBC. 

• First Aid Course (14+) 
• Advanced Rescue Techniques (ART) (15+) 
• IRB Crew Course (15+) 

Similarly Sydney Branch will be running the Silver Medallion Patrol Captain Course (SMPC) and the Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue Course (SMAR) from October onwards. A prerequisite of Bronze Medallion is necessary. Please note you have to be 16+ to complete the SMAR course and 17+ for the SMPC course. 

The Education Team is excited to provide Surf Skills sessions for patrolling members. This includes the practice of board and swim skills in the surf. Please use this link to express interest regarding this particular course. 

With all EOIs regarding any of the above courses, please email [email protected]. 

As the SLS World Championships are fast approaching, with competition commencing in September we highlight our athletes representing the club in the Gold Coast. This includes our sand competitors and our IRB competitors. 

The Sandies are sending 2 relay teams to the Surf Life Saving World Champs hence we have been training through the off season with no real break.

We have a team of 9 attending Worlds consisting of Ruby Gray, Annabel Penny, Chris Kondilios, Zac Getz, Tom Far Jones, Luke Newrick, Jake Lynch, Blake Drysdale, Jett Van Der Wallen. Unfortunately, Dylan Sharpe was going to attend but succumbed to a Hammy and broken wrist. Speedy recovery Dylan.

We have 3 open men joining us from Newport this coming competition year who will be competing under our proud South Maroubra cap. We are proud to have Jake Lynch, Blake Drysdale, Jett Van Der Wallen join our ranks, and it will certainly bolster our relays and our overall strength on the sand.

We are sending our U17 Relay team consisting of: 

• Chris Kondilios
• Zac Getz
• Tom Far Jones
• Luke Newrick

We are also sending our first ever opens team:

• Jake Lynch
• Blake Drysdale
• Jett Van Der Wallen
• Luke Newrick

The following IRB competitors are competing:

• Samantha Playfair
• Tara Georgas (injured)
• Thomas Hetherington
• William Shaddock
• Elisa Garay
• Scott Parker
• Tom Mcintyre
• Tyler Perry
• Laurie Golsby
• Liam Smith
• Lucy Burns
• Marshal Lines
• René Prochnow
• Alex Shaddock
• Angelina Garay 
• Isabella Garay
• Iona Dyson (injured)
• Isabelle Hazelwood
• Joshua Ricamara
• Josh Stephans
• Kai Jones

Good luck to all those competing!

Well, members, we've successfully completed another AGM and are now heading rapidly toward the start of the 2024/25 season.

New Club Leadership

Congratulations to the new club leadership group! This fantastic and diverse group of members will soon be joining us for a pre-season catch-up session. Keep an eye out for the date. This will include all office bearers and patrol captains, and I look forward to catching up with everyone.

Important Club Roles

I am writing this short article from Belfast, Ireland, where I am continuing my vacation. At the recent AGM, well run by Vice President Linda Perrin, we noted that several very important positions remain vacant, including Sponsorship and Fundraising Coordinators. If you’d like to help the club out, enjoy meeting people, or have experience in coordinating events or marketing, we’d love to hear from you. Simply send an email to [email protected].

Upcoming Club Activities

Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming up:

- Room Transitions: We are working on room transitions, including occupying the new lifesaving room.
- Farewell to Michelle Lo: We bid farewell to Michelle Lo, who has served in the club office for nearly 10 years.
- Sunday Socials: Please take the time to join us with friends for our Sunday Socials.
- World Championships Preparation: Some members are training for the World Championships on the Gold Coast in September.
- Surf Patrol and Education Planning: Planning for surf patrol and education is underway.
- Junior Female Boat Rower: We are looking for the final junior female boat rower to complete our team of four. See the advertisement within.
- New Surf Boat Sponsorship: We’ve ordered a new surf boat and are now looking for sponsors. A $35k deal for a four-year signage opportunity or two naming rights sponsors at $17.5k each for a four-year deal is available. If you can help or know someone who can, please reach out to [email protected].

I look forward to seeing you all at the club in early September.

Best regards,

Paul ‘Stretch’ Fownes  
President