Lifesaving Feb Update

Our lifesaving team is always busy on our beach and this past month has been no exception. Our competitors are often training on the beach either early in the morning or late in the evening and this seems to be the time that our community needs us the most. Just this week our Boatie and lifesaver Kai Jones rushed to rescue and bring in a lady in distress during a training session. A reminder of just how vital our after hours rescue equipment is and for all members to be vigilant when down there, regardless of the day or time.

On Australia Day long weekend, Patrol 12 found themselves with an extremely packed beach, topped with bluebottles stings and a medical episode occurring during the morning and afternoon patrol handover, requiring an ambulance call. While continuing to keep a close eye on the flash rips, it finally culminated in a large crowd of swimmers being swept out to sea.

The team, led by Simon Torsellini our Director of Lifesaving, jumped into action to rescue about 20 people. Using all our resources of boards, tubes, the IRB, the lifeguards Jetski and multiple Maroubra lifeguards on boards, this mass rescue put all to the test including our youngest members who supported a number of distressed
swimmers with first aid afterwards. A big congratulations for being recognized by Branch and winning Rescue of the Month. Congrats to Simon Torsellini, Ashleigh Breaden, Matthew Evans, Kirsten Newrick, Simon McCartney, Lisa Morgan, Mark Arbib, Andrew McCabe, Molly Menzel, Zachary Messis, Gavin Savage, Jake Torsellini, Max
Torsellini, Cara Kane, William Lee, Owen Lloyd-Jones, Joey Menzel, Rory Muldowney, Ned Panlilio, and Nate Schembri.

Our education team have also been busy with an another SRC course underway, as well as a Bronze course. We also have another IRB Crew course starting soon. These courses continue to be vital to provide our lifesaving teams with valuable new skills and people. We are very appreciative of our education team and the knowledge they have.

Coming up we have the opportunity to again celebrate our wonderful ladies in lifesaving, whether they are water safety mums and sisters or patrolling our beaches. Come and join the Special Patrol celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March from 8.30am – 1.30pm, or stop by and give your thanks to these amazing ladies.