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.

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