Beyond the Flags ISSUE 4 Spring 2014 Patrol Season Kicks Off Australian Lifeguard Service Continues to Expand Unearthing Talented Athletes Best of the Best Surf Boat Challenge Surf Safety Message Spreads
SUMMER S NEXT BIG WAVE COMES TO FOX SPORTS In what is the biggest television deal in the history of Surf Life Saving, Fox Sports will launch the Summer of Surf on Saturday night November 29. The series will feature a variety of state and national events, kicking off with the 2014 Coolangatta Gold. The Summer of Surf will be broadcast on Fox Sports over 23 weeks in a landmark agreement that will reinvigorate the sport. Produced by the Castle Media team who covered the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships for the last two years for Fox Sports, the series won t just be focussing on the elite level competitors. The concept for the Summer of Surf began long ago when we identified the need for the sport to go back to its grass roots, Castle Media Managing Director and concept developer John Palmer said. Surf Life Saving is built on great people who share a desire to be part of a movement that literally changes lives. No other sport can genuinely state that they are a collection of heroes. I don t think I have ever been prouder to be associated with a sporting organisation than I have been over the last 10 years with Surf Life Saving, Palmer added. These athletes are humble, extremely fit and the perfect role models for people of all ages. They should be a marketing dream and it s truly exciting to see so many people come together with a common vision to bring back to television one of Australia s most respected sports. The Summer of Surf series will cover some of Australia s largest surf sport events, from major surf carnivals, to state and national titles. As part of the new broadcast agreement, for the first time the Coolangatta Gold and the Aussies will be distributed around the globe to a potential audience of more than 100 million viewers across the USA, Asia and Europe. SLSNSW Surf Sports Manager Shane Knight says the agreement is great news and hopes it will raise the profile of NSW athletes. With almost half the events on the schedule being run in NSW, it s a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure for athletes and clubs who work so hard to grow the sport away from the limelight. John Palmer agrees. When the series was first discussed, we were very conscious that we wanted to reward the people within the sport that have worked so tirelessly over so many years to build pathways for young people to be involved. From surf clubs to event administrators and especially all of the athletes who train so hard and compete not for money or fame, but because they absolutely love the way of life, that has always been the motivating factor. At the end of the day when a child and their parents are choosing a sport, we want them to immediately think of Surf Sports as a healthy, fun and exciting option. We want them to remember the stars that they see on television each week are the same heroes that will be protecting them at the beach on the weekend, and you can t have it any better than that. Find out more information at: www.surflifesaving.com.au/summerofsurf 2 Beyond the Flags
LIFESAVING NSW SURF PATROL SEASON KICKS OFF NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Stuart Ayres, officially launched the 2014/15 NSW Surf Life Saving patrol season at North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club on Manly Beach. From Saturday 20th September, over 21,000 volunteer surf lifesavers spilled onto beaches across the state, ready to patrol on weekends and public holidays through until the end of April 2015. In the last 12 months, members of Surf Life Saving NSW rescued almost 4500 people from the water across NSW, Mr Ayres said. Such a figure goes to show volunteer surf life savers are an essential part of our community, who selflessly dedicate their lives to assisting others on a daily basis. Going to the beach is part of the Aussie way of life, and we re thankful to know Surf Life Saving NSW is looking out for all of us and ready to help at a moment s notice, Mr Ayres added. Surf Life Saving NSW continues to show its strength within the community with close to 76,000 passionate volunteers forming a network of 129 surf clubs across the state. This includes close to 30,000 nippers ensuring the future of surf life saving in NSW remains strong. Surf Life Saving NSW President, Tony Haven, said that the movement continues to go from strength to strength on the back of the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to Surf Lifesaving. This year our lifesavers will once again spend in excess of 474,000 voluntary hours patrolling beaches along the state s coastline. This enormous contribution will continue to help create a safer swimming environment for beachgoers as it has done for over 100 years, Mr Haven said. With last season s NSW coastal drowning toll at 30, Surf Life Saving NSW is urging beachgoers to continue to swim at patrolled locations in between the red and yellow flags. The volunteer patrol season ends on Sunday 26 April 2015. Beyond the Flags 3
IN BRIEF SNIPPETS FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS NSW clubbies put in solid performances at the World Life Saving Championships in France. Congratulations to all those who returned with medals. Surfing legend, Layne Beachley hosted our 2014 Awards of Excellence evening where we celebrated our top volunteers. Congratulations to all our winners, including major award winners; Lifesaver of the Year, Allan Davis (Crowdy Head), Volunteer of the Year, Andy Cross (South Narrabeen), Club of the Year, Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore and Branch of the Year, Surf Life Saving Central Coast. Check out all our winners and photos at: www.surflifesaving.com.au/aoe2014 Three NSW athletes, Hannah Minogue, Nathan Smith and Hayden Allum qualified for the Kelloggs Nutri-Grain Ironman Series. Coogee s Jessica Thornton won gold in the 400m 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. Bondi s Cyril Baldock swam the English Channel in 12 hrs, 45 mins. He s the oldest person to swim the 34kms. NSW SLSCs each received six brand-spanking new PFD lifejackets for IRB operations. Collaroy s Katie Williams won the Women s Health - I Support Women in Sport Awards Local Heroine. Since the start of the season 73 ambulances have been requested across NSW by the State Operations Centre SurfCom team. Our NSW Development team travelled to the land of the long white cloud to compete at the NZ Pool Championships in Auckland. They won 6 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals. Welcome to the state s newest nippers club; the Bawley Point Kioloa Nippers Club on the South Coast. Last season lifesavers completed 4,433 rescues, 5,995 first aid treatments and volunteered a total of 474,055 hours to patrol our beaches a big pat on the back to you all! VOLUNTEER LIFESAVER STATISTICS 5,995 FIRST AID TREATMENTS Australian Youth Team athlete Georgia Miller shows off her medal haul from Rescue 2014 in France. 474055 VOLUNTEER PATROL HOURS 4 Beyond the Flags 4433 RESCUES
LIFEGUARD AUSTRALIAN LIFEGUARD SERVICE CONTINUES TO EXPAND Corresponding with the beginning of a new lifeguarding season the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) has made a series of major announcements demonstrating the growing strength of the service in NSW. This includes successfully extending the service on one of Australia s busiest beaches, Byron Bay s Main Beach. Lifeguards will patrol through the winter months ensuring that when combined with the volunteers over the summer months, Byron Bay is now patrolled 365 days a year. Byron Bay Mayor Simon Richardson said he was thrilled that council could provide additional funding this year for the extended service. Main Beach Byron Bay is one of Australia s most visited beaches all year round. It s a family favourite plus a draw card for young people from around the world. Council has utilised statistics gathered by professional and volunteer services and recommendations made in the Coastal Public Safety Risk Assessment released in June 2013. Having Main Beach patrolled 365 days through a combination of professional and volunteer services, is a community service that is highly valued and appreciated, he said. The ALS has also extended lifeguarding contracts with Ballina and Bellingen Councils for a further four and two years respectively with the option of five for Bellingen. ALS (NSW) Coordinator Brent Manieri is delighted to be continuing positive relationships with these councils into the future. The Australian Lifeguard Service is pleased to have secured the lifeguard contract for the Ballina and Bellingen Councils as well as extending the service at Byron Bay. These councils are very proactive in the area of improving safety for all beachgoers and we look forward to continuing the positive relationship we ve built. During the peak summer period the ALS will employ more than 80 lifeguards across these three regions alone with more than 350 ALS lifeguards on patrol across the state ensuring millions of people enjoy NSW beaches safely, said Mr Manieri. The expertise of the ALS was on clear display during spring when lifeguards responded to a number of major incidents including a fatal shark attack and subsequent beach closure at Byron Bay and the serious injuries of a young man who fell off a cliff at Warriewood Beach in Sydney. Lifeguards are expecting beaches to continue to get busier as we edge closer to summer and warn beachgoers to stay safe by being aware of key surf safety messages. Always swim between the red and yellow flags Read the safety signs Ask a lifeguard or lifesaver for safety advice Swim with a friend If you need help, stay calm and attract attention by raising your arm above your head Never enter the water if you have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs Wear sunscreen, seek shade and stay hydrated If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) Police For information on Beach conditions or to find a patrolled beach near you, check out Beachsafe.org.au or download the mobile application Beyond the Flags 5
SLSNSW UNEARTHS TALENTED ATHLETES Surf Life Saving NSW Talented Athlete Program has unearthed some of the state s brightest and most exciting young sport stars during this year s development camp. The Talented Athlete Program exposes leading U13-U15 athletes to the beginning of the Surf Life Saving NSW High Performance pathway. Athletes that have taken part in this program in the past such as Kendrick Louis, Alyce Bennett, and Tanyn Lyndon have gone on to win National and World Championships, represent Australia and qualify for the Kellogg s Nutri- Grain Ironman Series. Lawson Christiansen of Caves Beach said he had an amazing experience and learnt a lot over the three day camp. It s been an amazing experience for me. It really felt like an elite camp experience where we heard from professional and experienced coaches and athletes. It was especially good to 6 Beyond the Flags hear from the champion athletes and see that they aren t all superhumans but they trained hard and believed in themselves and we can do that too, said Lawson. Surf Life Saving NSW Sports Manager, Shane Knight, said the program is important to ensure the future of Surf Sports in NSW. The Talented Athlete Program is one of the most successful and longest running programs SLSNSW offers to its members. This program exposes athletes from around NSW to some of the best coaching and sport science testing around. Over the years, this program has helped young up and coming surf sport athletes go onto compete and represent teams at the highest level possible and I have no doubt that some of these athletes will follow that same path, said Mr Knight. Nine surf life saving branches from NSW were represented in this year s program with athletes travelling from as far north as Kingscliff and as far south as Tathra. Forty competitors were selected to participate in the three day program at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen, from over 90 nominations received. Four elite coaches from throughout NSW worked with the squad in their chosen disciplines with the group also being mentored by Australian superstars Kendrick Louis, Rachelle King and Murray Stewart. North Curl Curl s Tony Williams lent his expertise to the program as Head Coach. The main thing about TAP is that it is a good introduction to future representation for the sport. The group here is the cream of the cream, there is stacks of ability. It is a great opportunity for kids to learn different skills and compete against athletes of similar ability and make contacts in this environment. Friendships have been formed up and down the coast at TAP, said Mr Williams.
SLSNSW state coaches took the squad through surf sports specific training aimed at developing skills, technique and building the athletes understanding of the physical training required to reach their goals in surf sports competition. The Sydney Academy of Sport educated the participants on performance enhancing theory including sports nutrition, sports psychology and goal setting. The action packed program was supported by Engine Swim and NSW Sport and Recreation. Name Jasmine Darwin Mimosa Henderson Charlie Jeffries Lochlan Jonquieres Kirsten Miller Zoe Hughes Joshua Jones Chantal Luxton Anthea Warne Liam Wilson Emily Byrne Ben Daniell Club Umina Umina Avoca Beach Terrigal Umina Byron Bay Cudgen Headland Cudgen Headland Cudgen Headland Cudgen Headland Broulee Surfers Batemans Bay Kaimana Fittock Meghan Fox Zara Sharman Michel Tapia Stella Moore Keelan Ashburner Jayden Goodair James Finn Jonah Gerritsen Olivia Heaton Lily Marsters Ryan Pearson Jami Prowse Bulli Wollongong City Bulli North Wollongong Camden Haven Warilla Barrack Point Warilla Barrack Point Newport Queenscliff Newport Manly Newport North Curl Curl Craig Senior Broulee Surfers Georgia Singleton Manly Xavier Smith Tathra Brooke Dixon Wanda This program has helped young up and coming surf sport athletes go onto compete and represent teams at the highest level possible Lawson Christiansen Amy Gosling Kyle Lehmann Nicola Owen Bailey Proud Amelia Ross Caves Beach Caves Beach Catherine Hill Bay Merewether Redhead Merewether Emily Eaves Connor Levings Alex Rampoldi Zach Roja Kiera Warn Wanda Elouera North Cronulla North Cronulla Wanda Beyond the Flags 7
BEST of the BEST 8 Beyond the Flags
BEKO BEST OF THE BEST SURF BOAT CHALLENGE 28 MARCH 2015 FINAL SHOWDOWN The top 12 crews in each division from around the state will be invited to compete NSW SURF BOAT SERIES North Coast Central Coast/ Hunter Sydney Northern Beaches Sydney South Coast Beyond the Flags 9
SURF SAFETY MESSAGE CONTINUES TO SPREAD Often prevention is better than cure and on the issue of reducing drownings in NSW one of the best ways to tackle the problem is to spread the message of surf safety. SLSNSW is continually reaching out to new audiences and spreading surf safety messages throughout the community, and not just in coastal areas. This year s Beach to Bush program supported by ClubsNSW is the largest surf education initiative in the last five years with lifesavers visiting around 15,000 students in regional NSW and the ACT. The program ran from Monday 10th November to Friday 14th November and is now into its 21st year. It began as a result of research conducted by Surf Life Saving Australia, which highlighted that 50% of people rescued from the surf live more than 50km from the beach. Beach to Bush aims to teach kids a wide range of surf safety tips including general beach safety messages, sun smart strategies, rip and wave identification, sea creatures and first aid, rescues and getting help as well as outlining safety tips for other aquatic environments such as rivers and dams. This year qualified surf lifesavers travelled to eight different regions visiting schools in areas including Canberra, Armidale, Orange and Dubbo. Term 4 of the school year will also see Surf Life Saving NSW deliver surf education to thousands of students in NSW s major drowning blackspot, Western Sydney, as part of the Surf School program. The Surf School is an initiative fully funded by the NSW Government Water Safety Black Spots Fund with the primary objective to reduce the rate of drowning deaths in NSW by educating youth in surf safety. Based on residential drowning statistics from 2004-2010, residents from Western Sydney have been identified as having a dramatically increased risk of coastal drowning and death, recording more than twice as many coastal drowning victims as residents in any other area of NSW. The Surf School is an interactive and informative surf safety presentation delivered by enthusiastic and experienced SLSNSW facilitators. To date, more than 2500 Western Sydney high school students have received free Surf Education through SLSNSW s Surf School. Surf Life Saving NSW has also partnered with the Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Recreational Fishing Alliance to deliver a series of Rock Fishing safety information sessions targeting Chinese and Korean members of the community as well as international students. SLSNSW Academy Education Manager, Louise Fuller, says initiatives such as these are vital in reducing the drowning toll. Sometimes all it takes is getting the right information across in a simple, fun and interactive way resulting in more people understanding surf safety and realising how to avoid the potential dangers of the coastline. In many instances people who find themselves in trouble in the ocean simply do not have surf safety skills such as how to identify a rip or know the importance of swimming in between the red and yellow flags. If we can continue to spread this surf education and safety advice, we may be able to save more lives, said Mrs Fuller. 10 Beyond the Flags
ILS PLATINUM MEDAL FOR SOLLY Ernest (Solly) Stephens OAM, Patron and Life Member of Wanda SLSC, has been presented with the prestigious Platinum Medal from the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) for his generosity in providing advice and assistance to ILS, including assistance with fundraising efforts. Solly has been a member of Wanda SLSC since 1951 and currently holds Life Membership at club, state and national level. At 82 years of age, Solly is actively involved in the surf lifesaving movement and remains a judge for rescue and resuscitation competitions. As a founding member of the Yugawara Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) in Japan, Solly continues to travel to Japan to teach and mentor lifesavers and assist them in obtaining their Bronze Medallions. Every summer he then hosts budding lifesavers from Japan where they travel to Australia and complete their Bronze Medallion with Wanda SLSC. Thanks to Solly s guidance, the Yugawara SLSC have officially adopted the competition colours of Wanda SLSC. Wanda SLSC Club President Anita Pryke, says everyone knows Solly, who is always down at the beach ready to give advice and lend a hand. He has done so much for the lifesaving movement at a club, state, national and international level and he is so deserving of this recognition by the ILS, said Anita. Congratulations Solly! Above: Ernest (Solly) Stephens SURFCOM PICKS UP TEAM OF THE YEAR A number of NSW lifesavers have been recognised at the Centre for Volunteering 2014 Volunteer of the Year Awards, with the Sydney Metro SurfCom Team picking up Team of the Year for the Sydney North region. The Team of the Year is awarded to a number of volunteers who have worked together on a particular project or program for not-for-profits. The 2013-14 Sydney Metro SurfCom team, consisted of 55 volunteer SurfCom operators, who provided coverage to all of NSW s 150 patrolled beaches and 1990 kilometres of coastline, with operators volunteering a staggering 3501.50 hours during the patrol season. The role of the team is to provide communication support and coordination to lifesaving assets to assist them to carry out search and rescue duties in NSW. This enables the people on the ground to concentrate on the immediate emergency with the knowledge that the Sydney Metro SurfCom Team is working to get further support to the scene. The SurfCom operators also strengthen the work of Lifesavers and Lifeguards by gathering information on swell forecasts and its likely effect on the beaches across the State. The volunteer SurfCom team will now progress to the State Volunteer of the Year Awards where they will represent the Sydney North region. SLSNSW would like to send a huge congratulations to the Surfcom team volunteers as there is no doubt that without their incredible enthusiasm and passion, we would not be able to provide a state of the art 24/7 emergency call out team ensuring coastal emergencies can be responded to as quickly as possible and coordinated smoothly and professionally from a central hub. Congratulations to our other lifesavers including Andy Cross of South Narrabeen SLSC, Adam Kent of Long Reef SLSC and David Murray of North Curl Curl SLSC who were all acknowledged as finalists in the 2014 Adult Volunteer of the Year category for the Sydney North Region. 150 Patrolled NSW beaches 1990km Patrolled Coastline 3501 SurfCom Volunteer Hours Beyond the Flags 11
BYRON COACH NAMED COMMUNITY SPORTS DAD OF THE YEAR A huge congrats is in order for long time Byron Bay SLSC coach Gary Timperley, who was announced as the winner of the 2014 Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year Award. The award recognises fathers in local communities from all over Australia who have been making a positive impact through their involvement in local sport. Gary has been part of the Byron Bay Surf Club for 18 years, including the past 15 as nippers board coach, age manager, and now senior board coach. The former professional surfer got involved when eldest son Ryan, now aged in his 20 s, was a nipper. Youngest son Jy, who is 15 and nominated Gary for the award along with fellow club member Heli Murray, is still involved with the club and couldn t be prouder of his dad. My dad deserves this award because he is without a doubt the most dedicated human being I know, Jy said. Whether he is taking me to swimming every morning at 4.45am or training other kids in the afternoons or training himself. I have seen my dad up at ridiculous hours trying to figure out programs, routines and even graphs on how hard myself or other kids have been training. Befitting his giving nature, Gary was humbled with the award. I was very surprised my son Jy and Heli, who is one of my training partners, nominated me, Gary said. I didn t realize how much people appreciated me training their young teens in our surf club. My boys are my inspiration. Ryan my eldest went through nippers and is now a nurse in Sydney and hoping to study to be a doctor. Jy is now in the surf club and doing well they are both great water men. Being in the surf club is great. We look after the beach and people swimming who aren t that confident in the water and it s great putting time back into the community. I m lucky I m semi-retired which gives me time to train the kids. Our surf club is like a family and that comes from living in a small town. We have a number of talented kids coming through, including Ela Heiniger and Josh Brown who represented Australia at Worlds. Others to watch out for in the future are Gabi Kay, Scout Hembrow, Darcie Balcon, Georgia Wheatland and also Jy. Heli Murray said Gary was simply an inspiration for everyone at the club. Gary has been an inspirational contributor to the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club for many years since his boys were nippers, Heli said. Coaching and age managing involves extraordinary commitment - six sessions a week, mostly beginning before 6am, in all weather and attending carnivals around the state and country. Gary has the respect of all who know him, is fair, kind, generous and caring. In an incredible show of generosity, Gary donated his $5000 prize straight back to the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club. 12 Beyond the Flags
SLSNSW THANKS OUTGOING GOVERNOR OF NSW Thank you to Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO for her patronage of Surf Life Saving NSW. Surf Life Saving NSW would like to thank Her Excellency for her Patronage of our organisation. Her Excellency was the first woman to be appointed as Governor of NSW in 2001 and over the past 13.5 years, she has made an invaluable contribution governing NSW and supporting many not for profit organisations, including Surf Life Saving NSW. On behalf of our membership of 76,000, we would like to thank her for her support of the Surf Life Saving movement. This year Her Excellency unveiled the Fallen Lifesavers Memorial at Coogee Beach with the Hon. Mike Baird, Premier of New South Wales and Councillor Scott Nash, Mayor of Randwick City Council. She has been a great advocate for this Memorial and has encouraged everyone to see the Memorial, which is a tribute to those Australian lifesavers who lost their lives in the service of peace and justice at war. We were very privileged to have Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, the 37th Governor of New South Wales, as a patron of our organisation and we wish her and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE all the best for their future endeavours. Above: Dame Marie Bashir WADA UPDATES PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE LIST With the 2014/15 surf sports season upon us, now is a good time to familiarise yourself with the World Anti-Doping Agency s (WADA) updated prohibited substance list for athletes. Penalties for taking a banned substance are severe and can lead to a two year ban from competition. WADA s 2015 Prohibited List will come into effect on 1 January 2015. The change of most interest to many athletes is to pseudoephedrine, a substance commonly used to treat nasal and sinus congestion. WADA has removed pseudoephedrine from the 2014 Monitoring Program and it will remain on the Prohibited List. For athletes this means pseudoephedrine concentrations found in urine above 150 microgram per millilitre are prohibited in--competition in all sports. Medications that contain pseudoephedrine like Sudafed, Codral, etc. must be ceased 24 hours prior to competition. Other changes for 2015 seek to provide greater clarity to the List, with the majority of amendments being of a technical nature, including re-categorising and improving the terminology of existing substances and methods. Further information about the new Prohibited List can be found on the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority website and WADA website. You can use the Check Your Substances tool on the ASADA website to find out the status of Australian medications. Check your Substances will be updated to reflect the 2015 changes on 19 December 2014 at: www.asada.gov.au or www.wada-ama.org SLSNSW ENGINE SWIM AUSTRALIA PHOTO COMPETITION To celebrate the beginning of the 2014/15 lifesaving season, Engine Swim Australia, offered an awesome prize pack to whoever could post a photo on our Facebook page of their first weekend on patrol and generate the most likes. We were sent an abundance of incredible photos and thought we d share a few with you here. Enjoy! Beyond the Flags 13
14 Beyond the Flags
#MYSURFLIFE
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SURF SPORTS Surf Life Saving NSW wishes to thank the following sponsors and supporters for helping our volunteers protect lives on the beaches each year. Government State Sponsors Preferred State Suppliers National Supporters OUR MISSION To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. SUMMARY Surf Life Saving NSW is the state s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with almost 76,000 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 and 11 Branches 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. For contributions or suggestions please contact SLSNSW Marketing on 02 9471 8000 or email marketing@surflifesaving.com.au SLSNSW endeavours to ensure all information contained in this publication is correct and true, however accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or mistakes contained in the publication. Sports pictures by Stephen Chu and Harvpix. Surf Life Saving New South Wales T +61 2 9471 8000 F + 61 2 9471 8001 E experts@surflifesaving.com.au 3 Narabang Way Belrose NSW 2085 PO Box 307 Belrose NSW 2085 Australia Fundraising Authority No. CFN11033 ABN: 93 827 748 379 /SURFLIFESAVINGNSW @SLSNSW @SLSNSW