SURFLIFE ISSUE 18 RAISING OF THE FLAGS The volunteer surf patrol season kicked off on September 24, 2011. The NSW Minister for Sport and Recreaon, Graham Annesley, officially raised the first flags of the season at Sydney’s Manly LSC, with the help of a conngent of patrolling members and nippers. Across the state last season, volunteer surf lifesavers performed 7074 rescues, 160,527 preventave acons and 29,822 first aid treatments, watching over more than 8.5 million visitors to NSW beaches. An independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers “What is the Economic Contribuon of Surf Life Saving in Australia” has esmated that the total economic value of Surf Life Saving NSW’s coastal drowning and injury prevenon services in 2009/10 was $1.6 billion a year. This represents close to half of the esmated $3.6 billion contribuon from the naonal Surf Life Saving movement. Key findings in the PwC report include: • NSW surf lifesavers and SLS lifeguards undertook almost 5,700 rescues of 11,900 undertaken naonally; • NSW beaches had the highest number of patrol hours with 630,000 hours’ coverage; • The esmated value of the me donated by Surf Life Saving volunteers in NSW was $21 million; • The cost-benefit in terms of lives saved and injuries prevented for every dollar invested in Surf Life Saving’s volunteer water safety services naonally is 29.3 to 1; • It is esmated, in the absence of Surf Life Saving’s water safety services, almost 600 addional people across the country would have lost their lives on our beaches and coastal waterways. The PwC report was welcomed by Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Phil Vanny who said it reflected the enormous contribuon of the state’s major water safety and rescue organisaon. “The headline findings of this report are a tribute to the skill and dedicaon of our 73,000 members and the safety culture embedded in 129 Surf Life Saving clubs across NSW,” Mr Vanny said. “Our corporate partners and community and government supporters should be reassured by this report that every dollar invested in Surf Life Saving is a dollar invested in saving lives in the water.” The PwC report concluded: “The benefits of Surf Life Saving far outweigh the costs, further proving its unique and significant value to the Australian community and economy.” SURF LIFE SAVING IN NSW VALUED AT $1.6 BILLION Upcoming Dates: 13-15 Jan 2012 Stramit Country Championships, South West Rocks 22-23 Jan 2012 Interstate Championships, Queenscliff 28-29 Jan 2012 Coaching the Coast Regional Development Clinic, Tacking Point 2-4 Mar 2012 NSW Allphones Surf Life Saving Age Championships, Kingscliff Beach 8-11 Mar 2012 NSW Allphones Surf Life Saving Masters & Open Championships, Kingscliff Beach 24 Mar – 1 April 2012 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Kurrawa, Gold Coast
Transcript
SURF
LIFE
I S S U E
18
RAISING OF THE FLAGSThe volunteer surf patrol season kicked off on September 24, 2011. The NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley, officially raised the first flags of the season at Sydney’s Manly LSC, with the help of a contingent of patrolling members and nippers. Across the state last season, volunteer surf lifesavers performed 7074 rescues, 160,527 preventative actions and 29,822 first aid treatments, watching over more than 8.5 million visitors to NSW beaches.
An independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers “What is the Economic Contribution of Surf Life Saving in Australia” has estimated that the total economic value of Surf Life Saving NSW’s coastal drowning and injury prevention services in 2009/10 was $1.6 billion a year. This represents close to half of the estimated $3.6 billion contribution from the national Surf Life Saving movement.
Key findings in the PwC report include:
• NSW surf lifesavers and SLS lifeguards undertook almost 5,700 rescues of 11,900 undertaken nationally;
• NSW beaches had the highest number of patrol hours with 630,000 hours’ coverage;
• The estimated value of the time donated by Surf Life Saving volunteers in NSW was $21 million;
• The cost-benefit in terms of lives saved and injuries prevented for every dollar invested in Surf Life Saving’s volunteer water safety services nationally is 29.3 to 1;
• It is estimated, in the absence of Surf Life Saving’s water safety services, almost 600 additional people across the country would have lost their lives on our beaches and coastal waterways.
The PwC report was welcomed by Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Phil Vanny who said it reflected the enormous contribution of the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation.
“The headline findings of this report are a tribute to the skill and dedication of our 73,000 members and the safety culture embedded in 129 Surf Life Saving clubs across NSW,” Mr Vanny said.
“Our corporate partners and community and government supporters should be reassured by this report that every dollar invested in Surf Life Saving is a dollar invested in saving lives in the water.”
The PwC report concluded: “The benefits of Surf Life Saving far outweigh the costs, further proving its unique and significant value to the Australian community and economy.”
SURF LIFE SAVING IN NSW VALUED AT $1.6 BILLIONUpcoming Dates:
13-15 Jan 2012 Stramit Country Championships,
South West Rocks
22-23 Jan 2012 Interstate Championships,
Queenscliff
28-29 Jan 2012 Coaching the Coast Regional
Development Clinic, Tacking Point
2-4 Mar 2012 NSW Allphones Surf Life Saving
Age Championships, Kingscliff Beach
8-11 Mar 2012 NSW Allphones Surf Life Saving Masters & Open
Championships, Kingscliff Beach
24 Mar – 1 April 2012 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Kurrawa,
Gold Coast
NEW YOUTH RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNOUR MISSION “To provide a safe beach and aquatic environment throughout NSW”.
SUMMARY Surf Life Saving NSW is the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with almost 73,000 members, is one of the largest volunteer movements in Australia.
The primary role of Surf Life Saving NSW is to save lives on our beaches, while other activities include developing our members through education, leadership and surf sports programs. There are 129 surf clubs in the state which are affiliated with Surf Life Saving NSW, stretching from Fingal Rovers SLSC near Tweed Heads, to Pambula SLSC on the Far South Coast.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Tony Haven
Deputy PresidentKerry Clancy
Director of FinanceDennis O’Sullivan
Director of LifesavingJohn Restuccia
Director of Surf SportsMichael Bate
Director of Member ServicesGary Chapman
Director of EducationMick Bretherton
For contributions or suggestions for surfLIFE please contact SLSNSW Marketing on 02 9471 8000 or [email protected]
FIRST AID TRAINING First Aid Training and the provision of First Aid/Water Safety Services are the two core business areas of the Australian Lifesaving Academy. In October the Academy exceeded 140,000 awards which have been delivered to the community since its inception. A great milestone and a credit to all the trainers and ancillary staff involved. The Academy now trains on average, 100 people every day in the essential lifesaving skills of first aid and CPR.
The First Aid/Water Safety Services continue to expand with recent work performed at the NRL Grand Final Footy show at Darling Harbour, and numerous events for Rowing NSW and Dragon Boats NSW. Heading into Christmas, the peak schools Professional Development Days were held across the state, where the Academy trained more than 7000 NSW teachers in just two days.
The campaign is aimed at recruiting youngpeople aged between 15-25 years to become patrolling surf lifesavers. This age group is integral to the front line capability of Surf Life Saving, however research shows that current recruitment strategies are falling short of the mark.
Join a Real Social Network – Join a Surf Club is different to previous campaigns as it focuses on the social aspects of Surf Life Saving rather than concentrating on the traditional lifesaving and patrolling roles.
“We wanted to create a campaign that would appeal to young people. It stands out because it shows real clubbies and focuses on the social side of belonging to a surf club. We have used modern themes and have even enlisted the help of an up and coming
band,” said Member Services Manager, Claire Parry.
The campaign highlights that joining a surf club is about meeting new people and targets its audience through a variety of resources ranging from television CSAs and online video profiles, to posters, postcards and a dedicated website www.realsocialnetwork.com.au. A Facebook page and YouTube channel have also been launched.
The development of the Join a Real Social Network – Join a Surf Club campaign was made possible through funding provided by the Natural Disaster Resilience Program with a focus on recruiting for emergency management volunteers in NSW.
“Join a Real Social Network – Join a Surf Club”.
/SURFLIFESAVINGNSW
/SLSNSW
NSW Northern Region Lifeguard Coordinator Scott McCartney has received the ultimate recognition by being awarded DHL Lifeguard of the Year, over 700 lifeguards nationally.
Scott is responsible for the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) operations in the north of the state and was thrilled and honoured to receive the award. “I’m happy to have won the Australian Lifeguard of the Year award, but I couldn’t have done it without such a great lifeguard team in the Far North and North Coast areas. The lifeguards along the Northern NSW coastline are some of the most skilled and qualified lifeguards in Australia,” said Scott McCartney.
Scott was also named NSW Lifeguard of the Year in July.
LIFEGUARD OF THE YEAR
NEW STATE OPS CENTRE OPENS The professionalism of SLSNSW lifesaving operations has been taken up a notch with the establishment of a dedicated SLSNSW State Operations Centre (SOC), now operating from SLSNSW HQ in Sydney.
The SOC is a single communications and command entity which links the whole state through internet-based communications technology, providing excellent back-up in the system.
Staffed by a full time Duty Operations Officer and complemented over summer by three SurfCom operators, the SOC has radio contact with all clubs and services in NSW, and Monday to Friday (year round) operates Lifeguard SurfCom and handles Surf Rescue Emergency Response System callouts. On weekends the four regional SurfComs provide state-wide coverage.
The SOC is the culmination of plans made following an extensive radio network review and takes SLSNSW a step closer to operating as a core emergency service.
Brian Dell from Lennox Head-Alstonville SLSC has been awarded one of Surf Life Saving’s highest honours, a Certificate of Merit for his bravery when rescuing a father and son swept off the rocks in July 2010.
In July 2010, Brian Dell was paddling his surf ski when he saw two rock fisherman swept off the rocks below Lennox Point.
Daryl Williams and his two sons were rockfishing below Lennox Point when he and one of his sons were washed off the rocks and thrown into the surf.
Seeing the two men in trouble, Brian paddled over and managed to help Daryl’s son back onto the rock platform and then, with Daryl on the front of the ski, paddled away from the rocks and the potentially deadly large waves. Unable to make it back to the shore, Brian swam out to a fishing boat which was able to pick up the stranded fisherman and take him safely back to shore.
Brian is delighted and very honoured to receive the award and never expected to receive national recognition for his actions.
“I was on my usual early morning paddle when I saw the man and his son in trouble, they were getting smashed against the rocks, it can be quite hairy out there for people who aren’t experienced. I’d hate to think what could have happened if I wasn’t out there, I don’t think they would have lasted much longer,” said Brian.
Meritorious Awards may be awarded to clubs, groups, individual SLS members or a member of the public for outstanding deeds of bravery.
Other NSW Meritorious Award recipients include:• Matthew Parbery, Tathra SLSC• Daniel Magrin, Bermagui SLSC• Peter Mercieca, Bermagui SLSC• Scott Taylor, South Curl Curl SLSC• Paul Jackman, Rick Smee, Bruce Jones, Grahame
LENNOX HEAD LIFESAVER REWARDED FOR BRAVERY
True, Darcy Reid and James Brownhill, South Narrabeen SLSC received a Group Certificate of Merit with Bronze Medallion for rescue efforts in February 1969 which saved the lives of two people, however ended in tragedy when an exceptional lifesaver, Paul Jackman, lost his life during the rescue.
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCENSW Surf Lifesavers featured heavily at the 2011 SLSA Awards of Excellence, where our finest lifesavers, athletes, coaches, administrators and clubs were honoured for their enormous contribution to Surf Life Saving.
Katie Dixon from Ocean Beach SLSC took top honours and was named the DHL Surf Life Saver of the Year for her commitment to Surf Life Saving. Katie was in good company, alongside fellow club member David Unger who was named Surf Sports Official of the Year, Robert Houston from Nobbys SLSC who was awarded Assessor of the Year and Scott McCartney, ALS NSW, who was named Lifeguard of the Year.
Andy Cross from South Narrabeen SLSC has been named the inaugural
Nikon Clubbie of the Year. The Award recognises the important contribution surf lifesavers make to their communities every year.
Congratulations to all these deserving winners, along with Freshwater’s Ray Brennan, who was announced an SLSA Life Member on the night and the Killcare Open Men’s Beach Relay team who were inducted into the SLSA Hall of Fame for Sport.
FROM THE BEACH TO THE BUSH
SURF CLUB FACILITY GRANT PROGRAMOver the past six years the Surf Club Facility Grant Program, funded by the NSW Government, has provided over $12 million to developing and improving Surf Life Saving Club facilities throughout NSW. The government has committed a further $2 million per annum for the next three years.
The primary focus of this program is to assist with funding for the development of local surf life saving clubs to increase their usage, availability, standard, quality and participant numbers for the benefit of club members and the wider community.
Seventy Surf Life Saving Clubs have benefited from the program to date and used the money to make improvements such as building and expanding training rooms, first aid facilities, making alterations to function areas, upgrading kitchen and bar areas, toilet facilities, improving storage areas, and making structural improvements to meet OH&S standards.
More than 6000 primary school students across 52 schools throughout NSW recently took part in vital water safety lessons when 16 of the state’s finest surf lifesavers travelled to regional NSW as part of the Telstra Beach to Bush program, a joint community initiative between Telstra and Surf Life Saving.
Telstra Beach to Bush is the largest and most innovative surf safety education program in Australia, having reached more than 250,000 primary school students since it began in 2004.
The skills and safety lessons which focus on surf conditions and how to stay safe when visiting the beach can be applied to any type of water situation, including rivers, dams, creeks, pools or other waterways.
Telstra Beach to Bush presenter Sally Macintosh from Avalon Beach SLSC said that working on the program was a great experience.
“For these kids going to the beach is a special treat so they were really interested in everything we had to say and eager to learn all they could. It was a great opportunity for them to ask questions that they wouldn’t normally be brave enough to ask a lifesaver at the beach.
“The presentation focused on some core messages that are not only important for the beach, but for country dams, rivers and pools,” said Sally.
Students received vital water safety tips by taking part in an interactive presentation with a focus on swimming between the red and yellow flags, always following safety signs and looking out for each other while enjoying the water.
SLSNSW SURF SPORTS DEVELOPMENTAL PATHWAYSIn October Surf Life Saving NSW hosted the annual Talented Athlete Program and High Performance Program for up and coming NSW Surf Sports athletes.
These programs expose leading athletes from throughout NSW to the beginning of the Surf Life Saving NSW High Performance pathway. Athletes who have been previously involved in the programs have gone on to be selected in the NSW State team, the Australian team, and win National and International Gold medals.
The programs provide elite NSW athletes with the development pathway in order to be selected in the SLSNSW Interstate team. “These programs allow athletes to progress from club through to the elite level of competition giving competitors the skills and experience required to perform on a national level,” said Chris Parker, SLSNSW Surf Sports Manager.
“By educating these gifted athletes in best practice sports science and training techniques it will assist them in achieving their full potential. The quality of the athletes involved in this year’s programs is the strongest to date. The future of surf sports in NSW is looking very bright, which is very exciting,” he said.
The Talented Athlete Program and High Performance Program were lead by Head Coach and NSW State Coach Jeff Mowbray, and Assistant Coach Scott Jones.
The athletes took part in a variety of physical training sessions in surf, beach and pool rescue disciplines as well as relevant theory sessions conducted by leading industry professionals in the field of sports performance.
CERTIFICATE IV IN TRAINING AND ASSESSMENTRecently nine Sydney Northern Beaches Branch members completed an intensive four month pilot of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110) course. This qualification allows them to become Facilitators with Surf Life Saving NSW, and is also the minimum requirement for all Trainers and Assessors working for any external RTO (Registered Training Organisation) within the Vocational Education & Training (VET) system. This is a significant achievement and demonstrates the depth and quality of volunteers working within the Education area.
young, and found their ability to adapt with minimal resources extremely impressive. All of the participants were very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the course and are looking forward to testing out their new skills in the surf environment and fostering water safety and awareness in their local communities.
“It was great to get back to the front line of operations and it has reminded me of the importance of why we do what we do and how much of an impact it can have on the community,” said Murray.
It is hoped up to three lifeguard training sessions will be held each year with another formal lifeguard training course planned for early 2012.
The intensive two week program was conducted by the Philippine Lifesaving Society (PLS) and Murray Copas (ALS) in conjunction with Zambales Resort Owners Association (ZROA). Over that time 25 Philippine lifeguards were trained to the equivalent standard of the International Life Saving Surf Lifeguard award (SLS Bronze Medallion), including Spinal Management.
Murray Copas, Lifeguard Operations Manager for the Australian Lifeguard Service, has recently returned from a two week stint in the Philippines where he was busy training local lifeguards.
Over 40,000 people drown annually due to disasters and daily living in the Philippines, 6,000 of these are children. It has been called an epidemic, killing more people than tuberculosis, malaria and dengue fever.
In the Philippines there is not a strong learn to swim and water safety culture and the Australian Lifeguard Service (NSW) in conjunction with Surf Life Saving Australia and the Philippines Life Saving Society are aiming to change this culture by improving the skill level of Lifeguards through training and development to create awareness and to curb these shocking statistics.
“We had 25 participants complete the training course, with most having the fundamental skills needed to be top lifeguards and instructors. There was a mixture of experiences within the group, some are currently working within the lifesaving industry, others were surfers, fishermen, military and those who had experienced emergencies within their personal lives,” said Murray Copas.
“I learnt a lot from my time in the Philippines and found it very humbling to be involved in an organisation so
LOCAL LIFEGUARDS HELP TRAIN IN PHILIPPINES
NSW AUSTSWIM WATER SAFETY AWARDSKatie Dixon from Ocean Beach SLSC was awarded the Most Significant Contribution to Water Safety by an Individual at the NSW AustSwim Water Safety Awards recently.
Others acknowledged at the Awards include the SLSNSW Lifesaving team, taking out Water Safety Event of the Year for the Rip Awareness Day, and were runners up for Research Project of the Year for the Quartered Cap Review.
POLICE AND LIFESAVERS JOIN FORCESSurf Life Saving NSW has joined forces with the Police this summer, launching the ‘Play Safe, Stay Safe’ summer water safety campaign. Senior police and surf lifesavers are actively encouraging parents and children to be vigilant about water safety in a bid to prevent drowning tragedies.
As SLSNSW is the peak water safety body in the state, the NSW Police Force saw significant advantages in a coordinated approach to promoting this important public safety message. The joint campaign encourages people to take basic safety precautions, including swimming between the flags, avoiding rip currents and observing beach signage. The campaign also promotes the free Beachsafe iphone application, which locates the nearest patrolled beach and provides a range of surf safety information.
The Play Safe, Stay Safe campaign also includes a strong message to rockfishers from SLSNSW and the Police Marine Area Command, to take safety seriously and always wear a lifejacket.
The NSW Police Force and Surf Life Saving NSW will continue to play an active role in raising awareness of water safety and educating the public about how to prevent unnecessary drowning deaths.
SLSNSW RECEIVES SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARD
Surf Life Saving NSW has been officially recognised by the Australian National Search & Rescue Council, receiving a Certificate of Recognition under the prestigious ‘National SAR Award – Aviation, Land, Maritime’. The Certificate recognises outstanding dedication to the community by SLSNSW, in particular its Emergency Response System – which ensures 24/7 rapid notification and response of ‘surf rescue’ services to coastal emergencies across NSW. Manned by a team of highly-skilled and dedicated volunteer Duty Officers, the Surf Rescue Emergency Response System is used by Police and emergency services to rapidly deploy the nearest Surf Life Saving assets to respond to coastal emergencies, such as swimmers/surfers in trouble or missing, rockfishing mishaps, shark encounters or boating accidents. Since January 2008, the Emergency Response System has responded to almost 800 incidents - mostly at unpatrolled locations - and saved more than 400 lives in the process.
National SAR Council Chair, John Young with SLSNSW Director of Lifesaving, John Restuccia
Images for surfLIFE provided by Stephen Chu and Bill Sheridan. SLSNSW endeavours to ensure all information contained in surfLIFE is correct and true, however accepts
no responsibility for any inaccuracies or mistakes contained in the publication.Surf Life Saving New South Wales
T +61 2 9471 8000 F + 61 2 9471 8001 E [email protected] Narabang Way Belrose NSW 2085|PO Box 307 Belrose NSW 2085 Australia
