​As advised in our last Blu-ing we will be dedicating Sunday Social 1 November 2020  from 12 noon, Heritage Room - to recognise and celebrate 40 Years of Women in SLS and especially our female members past and present.

We extend an invitation to members to join us on this day and especially reach out to the many female trail blazing members who have been part of the last 40 years of Women in SLS of our Club. 
Please join us on the day for an informal social get together - bar will be open at club prices - and as mentioned we will be sharing with you all a PPT presentation of photos recognising females from within the club.
Any more photos for inclusion can be emailed to me at [email protected]  I would love to get some more so we can cover off on the 4 decades of contribution.

Whilst there is no formalities for the day, we would envisage a short welcome to all at approximately 1.00 pm before presenting the slide show of photos and would love to have as many of our females past and present at the club on the day.

I am still keen to contact our first 3 female Bronze Medallion awardees -  Helen Veale, Aileen Wilson, Bronwyn Roberts to invite them to join us on this day.  If any member has any contact details for these past members or their family could you please please let me know   [email protected].  I will be reaching out via face book also to seek contact with these 3 ladies.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 1 November from 12 noon

Well folks, the 2020-21 surf patrol season is here, we held our first patrols over this past weekend; with Nippers kicking off in less than a month.

If you have been following on social media, you will have seen we have been busy. We completed our first Surf Rescue Squad (picked back up from the end of last season) , surf sports training at senior and junior levels well underway, we have our Bronze and SRC intro night coming up, and plenty of momentum on many fronts.

A few updates for your information and consideration:
General Club Covid Updates!
As you would have seen the many emails, photos and posters around the club, we have been managing the changing environment of Covid. We are now looking for a new Club Covid Coordinator, someone who can help guide us through what I hope will be an improving and final Covid period. The job entails keeping abreast of changing rules and modifying our activities to reflect these changes. If you are available and keen to support us in this important role, please nominate by emailing the office.

What’s our current Club Covid status?  We are Covid Safe and are open for business with gym, training rooms, storage facilities, toilets; all functioning, albeit with some restrictions. Remember we have the Heritage and BK Bar available for hire (within Covid restrictions).

Club Gymnasium hase reopen, however with limitations to adhere to the required 1.5m separation. Att Gym Members!
Please be mindful of our property. When attending the gym, ensure you clean after yourself, equipment is to be wiped after use, ensure you use a towel at all times, if your shoes are dirty, either clean them before coming in or take them off.
Do the right thing!

Club change-rooms have reopen at the start of the season however will have limitations of three occupants within the changeroom areas at any one time maintaining 1.5m separation.

Helping our membership! Due to Covid, the club has engaged an additional office staff member to help with administrative support, supporting our office manager with the increased influx of membership enquiries, junior member’s processing of active kids vouchers (our first year of accepting them), apparel sales, and other related activities.

Our aim is also to limit crowding in the office. All members can now visit or call the office Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays from 9am to 3pm. Sundays during the nipper season (8am to 12pm).

BK Bar and Heritage Room
Yes, Covid rules will apply, so you will see changes; but it’s important the social aspect of the club continues. The bar will require customers to register and be seated indoors or outside. Tables of 10 outside will be available along with bar tables. Children must be seated and will not be able to play in the seated zones. A Covid Marshall will be on-hand to lend a hand with the relevant changes

Mick’s kiosk will operate as normal each Sunday within social distancing requirements, and everyone is welcome. 
Mick and his staff will be offering fresh food and Mick's famous chicken Schnity. Remember the kiosk operates on CASH ONLY.

Please be conscious of the no-attendance policy.  If you are displaying flu like symptoms or feeling unwell, this will help protect your fellow club members and keep the club operating.

Remember that our club is an inclusive and diverse club, we are definitely stronger when more members put their hands up to assist; we do offer many activities and opportunities to our members to participate and be part of, such as being part of our Education team as a certified education instructor; or perhaps join the Competition team, representing our club at senior or junior level, join the Nipper team by becoming an age manager so you can improve the development of our kids and make the experience even better, become a qualified coach, or join a Volunteer work group to assist as bar staff at club events such as Social Sundays, or part of our workforce team or being part of one of our committees. The list is endless, have a think and if you can spare some time, we’d like to hear from you, so please call our office. We’re interested to hear your ideas and/or expression of interest.Thanks and see you down at your club.

Paul ‘Stretch’ Fownes AMP OAM
President

The 2020/21 Season  kicked off on Saturday 26 September and all teams are ready to go. Our gear passed gear inspection, and we’ve had all our pre-season meeting with great attendance.

Here is this season’s Lifesaving Committee:

Director of Lifesaving Services – Nicole Cooney
Assistant Director of Lifesaving Services – Ben Keenan-Smith
Education Coordinator – Michael Fernandez
Lifesaving Registrar – Codie Wem
IRB Coordinator Lifesaving – Laurie Golsby
Gear Steward – Ken Hudson (assisted by Scott Hobday)
U18s Coordinator – Maria Garay
Patrol Captains
 
The patrol teams and roster had been sent out to all members. You can also view the roster online.

There’s a bit to consider this season in light of COVID, and all Patrol Captains have been take through the extra precautions and change for the season. All members are able to access useful COVID documents on the SLSNSW Website.

Some key documents to check out are:
Lifesaving Information pack
COVID treatment guidelines
DRSABCD COVID Protocols
SLS Matrix for all activities
 
Skills Maintenance also needs to be done for the new season. This is where we make sure all your lifesaving skills are current. There are some changes this season with a great deal of the information covered online. If you haven’t already be sure to access the course online through eLearning in the Members Area. The practical sides of the Bronze, SRC, ARTC and Spinal will be covered on patrol. We will also run 2 sessions for non-patrolling members, see the website for more information on the dates.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on the beach soon! And if you haven’t renewed your membership yet be sure to do that ASAP. You can do in quickly and simple online in the Members Area.

Patrol Subs
If you’re looking for a sub this season the best place to try, besides your friends, is the South Maroubra Subs Facebook Group. You are required to get a sub when you can not make patrol, and you need to ensure the person who subs for you meets the same award requirements for the patrol. Once you’ve agreed on a sub be sure to make it official through your Members Area account

IRB Drivers WhatsApp group
We have created a WhatsApp group for all IRB Drivers to facilitate information and subs. If you’re a driver you should have been added by now, but if we’ve missed you off get in touch with us at [email protected]

Upcoming courses
With the season up and running it’s also time to kick off some new courses. Our Bronze Medallion and Surf Rescue Certificate Information Evening will be held on Tuesday October 6 at 6.30pm at the club. If you know anyone who is interested in becoming a lifesaver get them to come along, or email [email protected]

Also upcoming will be come other courses including an Advanced First Aid course, and Advanced Resuscitation course. Keep an eye out for those dates.