Surf Life Saving Report
Years 7 and 8
On Wednesday afternoon the swell period was 15 seconds making for massive waves at Long Reef Beach. The nippers ventured up to the headland to watch the surfers paddling in to huge waves on the German bank. This was followed by some team events of flags and a sprint relay.
On Saturday, the wind was making Long Reef unbearable, so the boys went over to Fisherman’s beach where an endurance IRONMAN event was held.
Top image credit: Bronze Medallion Board Rescues
The following results were recorded:
| Endurance IRONMAN | IRONMAN Teams | Board Relay Race | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C Martin | BF Booby’s | BF Booby’s |
| 2nd | N Kordek | Flamingos | Flamingos |
| 3rd | B Jones | Pelicans | Pelicans |
| 4th | H Warden | ||
| 5th | E Adamo |
Years 9 and 10 Bronze Award Group
The Bronze Award Group headed to Bilgola Beach for their four day intensive course and assessment. The boys demonstrated their extensive knowledge and skills and practised these under the guidance of the Northern Beaches Surf Life Saving trainers.
The elements of the award covered were: radio communications, CPR, first aid, signals, board rescue, tube rescue, spinal injury recovery and a run-swim-run.
On assessment day, Bilgola Beach was unfortunately closed due to large surf but the boys successfully completed all ‘dry’ components of the award.
The water-based components were scheduled for Saturday at Avalon, where the boys joined with 40 members of other SLS clubs. Again, sea conditions proved an issue and the assessment centre was relocated to Palm Beach. There, all boys who took part were successful and are now proud Bronze Medallion holders. They will start their patrols of Long Reef Beach on Saturdays from the start of Term 1 2023.
A huge congratulations to the boys on their achievement and a thank you to the parents for driving the boys around the northern beaches!
Years 10 and 11 Patrol Group
The Year 10 Patrol Group were given the opportunity to continue their learning and gain further accreditation this week. A two day course at Long Reef SLSC enabled the boys to complete their Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) and Advanced Resuscitation (HLTAID 015) Courses. The boys demonstrated superb recall of prior learning in elements such as first aid and CPR, whilst also gaining new skills and understanding in important elements such as oxygen therapy.
The trainers gave the course relevance by delivering much of the learning through live scenarios. The boys had to think on their feet to deal with a cardiac arrest, a surfboard fin-chop to the leg of a small child and even an unconscious Isaac Edwards following a nasty sledgehammer accident. The boys now have a wide range of skills and knowledge that could help them in situations they could come across whilst on patrol at Long Reef but also at any time in their everyday lives.
The Year 11 boys continued with their IRB Crew training early on Saturday morning, led by Adam Kent from Long Reef SLSC, assisted by Old Boy Sam Atkinson and other IRB Drivers from the Club. We are immensely grateful to all for giving their time to train our boys.
Mr G Jones
Acting MIC, Surf Life Saving