President Chat - April 2024

Hello to all of our members live from the Australian Titles where many competition members from Youth, Masters and Open are proudly flying the colours of South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, and welcome to the April edition of the Bluing.

I would like to thank our many coaches, officials, supporters and Board Members who supported this year’s efforts, results from Aussies will be announced in later editions.

So where are we with season 2023/24?

On Anzac Day 25/4 in addition to rostered patrols and Anzac Service in the morning we invite you to our very successful Anzac Day ‘Two Up’ event and invite all 18 and over friends and members to join our host Matt to watch the fun of this once a year event in the Heritage Room. Bar services will be open from 12pm so make a point of popping down.

Our Surf Patrol season comes to an end on Sunday 28/4. On this same day we will be conducting our Major Fundraiser being the Ocean Swim. A call has gone out to all members in particular our Lifesavers as we need maximum rescue and competition board paddlers, all of our IRBs in the water so 2 crew x 8 boats, we need BBQ cooks, set up and pull down crews, lunch prep people and parking control members.

Here is the link to volunteer for one or some of these jobs so please step up for this important event: https://forms.gle/rwso21xq9jXixyKm9

Following the Ocean Swim, we will be celebrating the end of our Lifesaving season with a free BBQ, live band and free refreshment, so it works well - Ocean Swim duty first for all of our lifesavers followed by party time in recognition of a great season so please sign up and come along for the day.

Other issues to consider include nominations for Club Awards, Branch Awards, and our Presentation Night to be held on 1 June.

Congratulations to our new SRC and Bronze members and welcome to our great club. Big thank you is extended to our instructors for your hard work in getting so many wonderful candidates through.

As I mentioned to a few of you, your skills training continues on boards etc so feel free to pop down, grab a board over the off season and continue to work on those skills in preparation for next season. Also, other course will be available to you so keep that enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge going!

Please be sure to join our clubs Facebook page where news, photos and information is posted daily along with opportunities to be involved in Surf Sports and other activities. Sunday Socials are there for all our members, your families and will continue each Sunday throughout Winter. Whilst speaking about Sundays in the off season why not join the Winter Swimmers who assemble each Sunday at Wylie’s Bath at Coogee for some friendly handicapped swims followed by a lovely hot brunch back at the club, a great friendly aquatic community.

Thanks again for a wonderful season to date and please remember to sign up to our Ocean Swim followed by season celebration.


Paul ‘Stretch’ Fownes APM OAM
President

Make sure you join us for the traditional 2-UP on Anzac Day

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Dolphins starts up for the Winter Season