Surf Lifesaving Report
Week 1 Term 1 2024
Year 7 and 8 Nippers
The Nippers group welcomed a new group of Year 7 surf lifesavers this Term. The boys have made an excellent start to their Summer Sport, demonstrating competence in their swim trials during the week and strong skills in the sea on Saturday. Long Reef was closed due to large surf, so the group relocated to Fisherman’s Beach on the north of Long Reef headland, protected from the southerly swell.
The following race results were recorded:
Week 1
| Place | Board Race | Surf Swim | Beach Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrison A | Harrison A | Harrison A |
| 2 | Richard G | Richard G | Anders M |
| 3 | Archie K | Dash DV | Jackson D |
| 4 | Jackson D | Nicholas W | Toby K |
| 5 | Dash DV | Jackson D | Dash DV |
| 6 | Hamish W | Hamish W | Nicholas W |
Year 9
The Year 9 group also moved their surf lifesaving training to Fisherman’s Beach on Saturday. They enjoyed a wide range of activities and competitive races, including: beach flags, distance runs, swim races, board races, and relays. The boys worked hard in training for a competitive day next Saturday in the Shore Carnival.
Year 10, 11 and 12
A group of 20 Bronze Medallion holders moved onto their next level of training, in order to develop their skills, understanding and qualifications to make sure they are as equipped as possible when on patrol on a Saturday. Half of the group completed the nationally recognised ‘Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) Certificate’ and all boys completed the ‘Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate’. These qualifications are certainly important for surf lifesavers, but are also essential life skills and can be used for future further education and job applications. These boys will rejoin the patrol roster next week.
Year 11 and 12 Patrol Team – Rescue at Long Reef
With many of their peers completing First Aid and ART Certificates, the remaining Bronze Medallion holders formed an interim patrol team. With the beach closed due to very large surf conditions, the boys encountered few beachgoers and swimmers but experienced a different style of patrol whereby their focus was on the many surfers, body boarders and tow-in surfers. The boys needed to resort to binoculars at most times to monitor surfers far off the shore.
The patrol team were then involved in possibly one of the most serious rescue situations in recent Shore SLS memory. A rescue jet ski that had raced north from Dee Why to rescue three surfers near the headland capsized, resulting in the driver sustaining a serious break to his femur. The boys leapt into action to rescue the jet ski driver and bring him safely to shore and await the arrival of the emergency services. A special mention should go to Sam P who entered the surf to carry the patient to shore with the help of a local surfer. Cam C also assisted the recovery on the beach. We are immensely proud of the boys on patrol; their bravery, composure, and ability to work as a team under direction from the Patrol Captain and emergency services. This incident has made all those involved in the Shore SLS program realise why we do what we do each week at Long Reef!
Carnival dates for your diary
| Saturday 10 February | Shore Carnival at Long Reef Beach |
| Saturday 24 February | Barker College Carnival at Bungan Beach |
| Saturday 2 March | Knox Carnival at Whale Beach |
Mr G Jones
Acting MIC SLS
Top Image: Year 7 and 8 Nippers