We are well into the patrol season and December is always celebrated with the
induction of new patrol members who have completed the 6-week training
programme. 6 bronze medallion awards and 4 surf rescue certificates were
awarded and also in December we had members doing advanced resuscitation
and CPR courses plus IRB crew skills training for existing members. They have
now joined our 4 existing patrols to gain important practical experience. There
will be a second round of training courses starting in early February so please
get in touch if you want to join us as a patrolling volunteer. Secondly our Nippers
held their Christmas party with a family lunch. This is always great morning of
fun activities, including the popular water slide made even better with slippy
soapy suds and oil. The big “kid” mums and dads also joined in with the beach
games too. Santa made his annual visit in the surf cab. This is always a
celebration of all the activities our hard working age managers and water safety
crews and patrols have put in to make sure our Nipper kids are confident and
feel safe on the beach and in the ocean. So far this season they have had nippers
at Gerroa Beach, on the river as well as our own stretch of beach. This way the
kids get to transfer their new skills to different conditions so they know the drill
everywhere is “swim between the flags check for safety of self and others and
always swim with a mate”. They also held the first club championships at Gerroa
which is always good practice for the Surf lifesaving carnival season. 25 junior
and senior members will be going to Kiama on 17th January for the branch
carnival to compete against the 8 other clubs on the south coast. This is always
a fun family weekend. Nippers restarts on Sunday 24th January at the club house
and new members can still join us. Over the New Year holidays there will be
Shoalhaven Council managed patrols on Mondays to Saturdays 9-5 with surf club
voluntary patrols continuing on Sundays plus all the public holidays 9-5 right
through to Australia day weekend.
To all visitors and locals alike please take notice of the daily weather and surf
reports before you venture into the sea to swim, surf, fish or sail. When you come
to the beach swim between the flags and follow the safety advice of the duty
patrols. Also be mindful of your personal belongings and kit to minimise theft
and NEVER leave children or animals in a vehicle
Further Information is available at www.coastalwatch.com/surf-forecasts/nsw/south-coast-nsw
www.beachsafe.org.au/beach/nsw400
www.bom.gov.au/marine/about/check-rock-fishing.shtml
https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Discover-Shoalhaven/Beaches
https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/DiscoverShoalhaven/Beaches/Beachwatch
https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Discover-Shoalhaven/Beaches/Beachconditions
http://www.kidsafensw.org
Finally, if you are a current and proficient member of another club come and say
hello and if you can offer a few hours to help out on one of our patrols we would
be very happy for you to join us. We already have a few families with holiday
homes in the area that are regular members and others who just patrol in the
holidays when they are here. Nipper members are also welcome to join in with
our Nippers on a Sunday morning 9-11.30- just see our JAC to book in.
Nicky Pryde Shoalhaven Heads SLSC