Welcome to the September Edition 

of the

Surf Life Saving Illawarra Newsletter

Can you believe October is here!! Our clubs and members have been busy prepping their clubs for another season of lifesaving, surf sports and fun on the beach!

With volunteers back hitting the beach on patrol this past weekend and nipper's programs starting back at our clubs in October, there is still time to join a club, whether you wish to patrol, help out behind the scenes or join our nippers' program. You can join or re-new your membership here; www.slsillawarra.com.au 

As always, we have had another busy month in surf lifesaving, with SLSNSW holding their annual Awards of Excellence (AOE) on the 24th of August, which was attended by members and clubs across the Illawarra. Keep reading to see some photos from the night and find out which of our hard-working members and clubs were awarded on the night.

Our Illawarra clubs held an Open Day on the 14th of September, and it was great to see our members and our community getting involved.

We had multiple clubs and members attend the 2024 World Lifesaving Titles, congratulations to our members who competed and placed in their events, which you can read about in a Surf Sports section.

All the best to our patrolling members as they return to the sand on their first patrols of the season.

Raising of the Flags Ceremony

Surf Life Saving Illawarra and Wollongong City Council raised the flags together on the morning of the 26th of September to welcome the 2024-25 lifesaving season.

Thank you to outgoing Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery AM, The Hon. Paul Scully MP and Nikki McCarthy Hicks from our sponsor Bluescope WIN Community Partners for attending along with our Surf Lifesaving Illawarra President, Peter Evert and patrolling members Mija from North Wollongong SLSC and the SLSI Board, Brody from Bellambi SLSC and Alyssa from Windang SLSC. 

We are looking forward to another great season in lifesaving, remember to swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags. 

Welcome to our new Education Admin Officer

Megan has recently joined the Education team as the Illawarra Education Admin Officer and will be based at Surfhouse, working Tuesday and Fridays.

She started in the Health & Fitness industry the year of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and within 3 years found herself moving into the Aquatics Industry. I have been blessed to have worked at Andrew (BOY) Charlton Pool in Sydney, Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre and more recently I managed the Customer Service team at SOP Aquatic Centre. Megan has spent the last 5 years working as the Administration Officer for a Sydney based Strength & Conditioning Gym brand.

In my downtime Megan a Mum, wife, a sports parent and team manager, plus coaches' rep netball for Illawarra District Netball.

Megan is looking forward to meeting our Illawarra Clubs and their members this upcoming season. If you are ever around Surfhouse, please pop in and say Hello or feel free to drop off your course documents. Megan can be contacted at educationadmin@slsillawarra.com.au or on 4228 3884.

Upcoming Branch Courses

Are you a current financial member? Are you interested in joining a patrol and helping out your club and community? Please keep reading below for more details on upcoming courses. These courses not only help you obtain lifesaving skills or upskill your current lifesaving skills but allow you to help out your club on patrol and contribute to the greater community.

Did you know that you can join a patrol in different roles? If being in the water performing rescues is not for you, than maybe you might like to be the First Aid Officer on patrol. If this sounds like something for you, then why not join our next First Aid Course. Details below.

First Aid

The next branch First Aid Course (HLTAID011) is being held on Tuesday 2 November and Thursday 7 November.  First Aid is open to current financial members who are above the age of 14.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Amy at North Wollongong SLSC on amy@nwslsc.com.au 

2024 World Lifesaving Titles 

The 2024 World Lifesaving Titles were held on the Gold Coast from the 20th of August until the 8th of September, 2024. Members from the Illawarra from Helensburgh Stanwell Park, Thirroul, Bulli, Wollongong City and Port Kembla were part of the competition with some members lucky enough to return to the Illawarra with medals hanging around their necks. 

Well done to these members from Thirroul who came away with the following medals.

Jeff Wall 1st 75+ Board Race, Jeff Wall and Ross Taylor 1st 75 + Board Rescue, Ross Taylor 2nd 75+ Board Race, Rod Landy 2nd 60-64 Surf Race, Brendon Miles 2nd 70-74 Board Race, Brendon Miles and Noel Gracie 2nd 70-74 Board Rescue, Rod Landy and Garry Minch 3rd 65-69 Board Rescue. 

 A big congratulations to these members from Bulli SLSC on their medals.

 Peter McLaren, Barry Lowe, David Boyle, Chris Mercer and Lincoln Costello 2nd 260+ male Boat Crew, Brayden Woodford 1st Youth Surf Race & 1st Youth 100m Manikin carry, 2nd Youth 200m Super lifesaver, 3rd Youth 100m manikin tow, Steph Staniforth, Youth 100m manikin tow with fins.

Brayden Woodford was also selected as part of the 2024 Australian Youth Lifesaving Team. The team came first overall, and Brayden performed excellently as part of the team. 

Port Kembla's men's Boat crew came away with 1st. Congratulations Jack, Corey, Mitch and Aaron and Mitch.

Congratulations also goes to these Wollongong City members who received medals in their events. Ben Squiers 1st 25-49 years Ocean Man & Board, 2nd 45-49 years 3rd 45-49 years Ski, Ben Squiers & Michael Jennett 1st 45-49 years Board Rescue 

Interbranch Team Nominations are now Open

Each year teams from each Surf lifesaving Branch in NSW come together to compete against one another in surf sports events. The team is made of 40 athletes from U/12s to U/17s. This year the 2024 Interbranch competition will be held at Cape Hawke SLSC in Forster on the 30th of November and 1st of December. 

Find more information and the link to nominate for the team here; 2024 Interbranch Team

We are still looking for a sponsor for Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Interbranch Team who will be headed to Forster in November, to compete at the Interbranch championships.

Sponsorship of sports teams helps reduce the cost for competitors, making competition more accessible for all athletes.

Please get in touch with Ash by emailing office@slsillawarra.com.au or calling 0403 224 258 for more information.  

Upcoming Surf Sports Events 

Sydney Water Surf Series 

 The Sydney Water Surf Series returns for 2024!

This news simply wouldn’t have been possible without the continuing support of Sydney Water. Their generosity means the Series returns for its 24th edition and again gives lifesavers, young and old, the chance to battle it out in the surf and sand.

Thanks also to the ongoing support of Infront and Finz, all athletes will again have the opportunity of being rewarded with some great Series point score prizes.

The inclusion of the “double weekend” round allows Series athletes to be involved in other major Surf Sports events early in the season. It also provides another multi-day race experience which will assist. Series athletes given these formats are used for State and Aussies.

We hope that this information provides athletes with some motivation as they return to off-season training.

Circular and entry information found here; Sydney Water Entry Circular

Surf Life Saving Illawarra Development Carnival

The Development Carnival is being held on Saturday the 7th of December at Towradgi SLSC.

This carnival is for juniors from U/8- U/14 and is a great local carnival for competitors to get involved in and get a taste for surf sports.

More information and entry circular to come.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra Branch Championships

The branch championships involve competition for juniors, from U/8 and seniors over two days.

Entry circular will be released closer to the championships.

This season's carnival will be held on Saturday 8th February and Sunday 9th February 2025 at North Wollongong SLSC.

Thirroul's Dean Mercer Dash

Thirroul's annual board paddle the Dean Mercer Dash will be held on Sunday 27th of October. 

Event Circular here;  Dean Mercer Dash Circular

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) Awards of Excellence 

SLSNSW held their annual Awards of Excellence (AOE) on the 24th of August.

Members from SLSI proudly represented their clubs. Bulli's Men's Open Boat Crew, Dean Roberts, Heath Mercer, Kyle Mercer, Fraser Worthington and sweep Shane Geloven, were awarded NSW's Surf Sports Team of Year and are nominated for Surf Sports Team of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence. 

Good Luck fellas! 

Club Open Day

15 of our 17 clubs in the Illawarra, held a club Open Day on Saturday 14 September. Visitors from the Illawarra community and beyond came out to see our clubs, meet our members and learn about patrolling and our nipper's programs.

Our clubs and members reported a great day with multiple visitors. A huge thank you to all our members who volunteered their time to promote Surf lifesaving in the Illawarra. 

Surf Life Saving Illawarra EOIs for Office

Expressions of interest are currently open for SLSI's Deputy President and SLSI's Director of Finance.

Please find further information regarding the position and how to express your interest at the following link; SLSI Nominations for Office

Surfhouse Office Closure 

Our Branch Admin Officer, Ash, will be on leave from the 8th October until the 18th October, returning to the office Monday the 21st of October. During this time the office will be closed Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday but will remain open Tuesdays and Thursdays when Megan is in the office.

The office email will not be monitored during this time, for any urgent queries, please contact the relevant director, their information can be found at the following link; SLSI Director Contact Information

Notice of SLSI Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Our AGM will be held on Tuesday 29 October, 6.30pm, location to be confirmed.

All Individual Members of Surf Life Saving Clubs in the Illawarra Branch Area are invited to attend the AGM.

Voting for the nominated SLSNSW Vacant Director positions will be undertaken by the Club Presidents and a Special resolution to be considered by the Club Presidents for Life Membership of Surf Lifesaving Illawarra.

USEFUL LINKS

SLSNSW Club Mail

www.surflifesaving.com.au

SLSNSW National Coastal Safety Reports

NEWSLETTERS

Does your club have any news, training dates or just anything you would like to share. Send it through to the SLSI branch office and we will put it in the newsletter.