THE Shoalhaven Heads Surf Life Saving Club is set for a bumper season.
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And thanks to the Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club, junior and senior members, will be taking to the water this season with some sparkling new rescue boards.
The surf club was presented with $5000 under the ClubsNSW ClubGrants Scheme, which has been used to provide members with 10 new boards.
Club president Karl Poulton, said the club which boasts 100 senior members and between 70-100 Nippers, has purchased two senior boards and eight junior sized [cadet] boards for kids aged up to about 12 years.
“The new racing boards are for both seniors and juniors,” Mr Poulton said.
“They are designed for cadets and senior members to use in racing.
“They are boards like you may see on the Nutri Grain Series or similar races.
“Learning how to paddle the boards is a good skill for junior members to develop so when they do need to rescue someone they have the ability to do it.
“It teaches the kids surf skills, the ability to ride waves and do some basic rescues.”
Ex-Servicemen’s Club CEO Bernie Brown said it was great to be able to help the “guys who have boots on ground” and “skin in game”.
“It’s great for us to actually see how the grants are helping out,” he said.
“The grant is part of the club’s community expenditure in the ClubGrants.
“It’s fantastic to be able to see and touch the equipment and I’m sure the members, both juniors and seniors, will get a lot of use out of these and build some vital skills and really help out during the summer months on the beaches.
“It’s fantastic to see and great be part of.”
It's great to be able to support the guys who have boots on ground and skin in game.
- Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club CEO Bernie Brown.
Ex-Servos’ president Kevin Duffy said the club has 10 sporting bodies within its own organisation it supports, as well as a number of outside sporting bodies.
“It’s great to see the fruits of the grants and great to see Shoalhaven Head Surf Life Saving Club benefit,” he said.
Mr Poulton said the club, which patrols Seven Mile Beach from Gerroa in the north to the opening of the Shoalhaven River in the south, has 40 patrolling members but was “always looking for new members to patrol the beach”.
“Anyone aged 15 and up can patrol the beach,” he said “you don't necessarily have to have your bronze medallion to help out.
“So any former members or members who can offer any skills, our club and a lot of other clubs can accommodate you.
“It’s not just seniors, we have a strong Nippers’ program. We have 70 to 100 Nippers every Sunday from 9am to 11.30am.
“Anyone can come along to that. They learn some great surf skills, how to read rips and some basic first aid and resuscitation. A great skill set for them.”