ARTC & Spinal Management courses
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club will be holding the following courses next week for all financial members of the club. These awards are very important for our members, especially patrolling lifesavers to possess skills in dealing with emergency situations on the beach.
Please contact Mitchell Hand on gamjlhand@bigpond.com.au to register or Keith Caldwell mkcaldwell@bigpond.com for any further details.
Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate (2 course dates)
Dates: Sunday 19th & Tuesday 21st August 2012
Location: Bulli Surf Club
Times: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Workbook will be sent via email. Workbook needs to be completed before attending face to face sessions.
Participants need to be at least 15 years of age on the date of final assessment & hold one of the following SLSA awards Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue), OR Basic Emergency Care Certificate, OR Apply (Senior) First Aid Certificate, OR Resuscitation Certificate
Spinal Management Certificate (2 courses)
Dates: Monday 20th & Wednesday 22nd August 2012
Location: Bulli Surf Club
Times: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Workbook will be sent via email. Workbook needs to be completed before attending face to face sessions.
Participants need to hold Bronze Medallion or Apply (Senior First Aid Certificate)
Registration Dates announced
BULLI SLSC 2012-2012 Registration dates for Seniors & Juniors
Sunday 26th August 2012 9am - 12 midday at surf club
Sunday 16th September 2012 9am - 12 midday at surf club
A Surf Club Open Day which has been set for Sunday 26 August 2012. The purpose of this day is to give clubs the opportunity to open their doors to the public and promote surf lifesaving within their community. This day will showcase the activities that take place within their local surf life saving club and ways that members of the public can give, get involved and be safe. The event will be held in conjunction with SLSQ to create a more coordinated approach in publicising the event whilst achieving greater media attention.
For further enquiries please contact;
Keith Caldwell (President) mkcaldwell@bigpond.com or
Junior Activities Section bullinippers@gmail.com
Existing members can register online – please refer to information listed on Membership page.
32 medals won at NSW Surf Life Saving Pool Rescue Championships
BULLI SLSC FINISH 3RD AT THE NSW SURF LIFE SAVING POOL RESCUE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club perform outstandingly at last weekend’s NSW Surf Life Saving Pool Rescue Championships on the Central Coast. With a very young squad of 14 athletes ranging from U12-U17 & a couple of Open athletes, the guys & girls picked up a staggering 32 medals which helped the club gain 3rd placing overall behind Terrigal & Wanda over the two days of competition.
The stars of the meet for the club included U13 Mali Taylor (2 Gold-2 Silver-3 Bronze), her sister U14 Kiah Taylor (2 Gold-2 Silver-2 Bronze), U14 Tom Montgomery (2 Gold-1Silver-2 Bronze), U14 Abbey Dawson (2 Gold-5 Silver-2 Bronze) & first time Open Female Rachael Teys (2 Gold-4 Silver-2 Bronze).
Bulli Team at the Championships were;
U12 Tim Gordon
U13 Mali Taylor - Bryar Lunney
U14 Joshua Gordon - Connor Basham - Tom Montgomery - Abbey Dawson - Kiah Taylor
U17 Jamie Brinkworth - Carly Fagerstrom -Dale Dawson - Kaylie Ekinci
Open - Rachael Teys - Mitchell Fagerstrom
For a couple of the team it was their first hit out in these type of events. Rachael Teys (Open), Kaylie Ekinci (U17) & Tom Montgomery (U14) all performed strongly. Both Rachael & Kaylie only got their Bronze Medallion at the start of the season, both girls are State/National open water swimmers enjoying the different surf club events.
Team Manager Keith Caldwell said, “ The effort from all the team over the weekend was great. With some members coming along to help out in team events including line throw, patient tows and relays, walking away with medals. It is really hard in the off season with other sporting commitments, work & holidays to plan around, but I must thank our Club Head Coach Downie Langthorne and other senior members Ben Denner, Matthew Freeman, Matthew Crilley & Mitchell Fagerstrom for helping the younger ones out at our club training sessions. To come 3rd overall with a very young squad was great and it is something to build on for the future.”
Big thankyou to the parents that supported the kids over the weekend and special mention to John Meehan (Official Starter), Maria Caldwell (Time Keeper), Scott Gordon (Pool Equipment Set-up) & Keith Caldwell (Team Manager) & Sean Taylor (Results Runner) for their help over the weekend.
Major award winners at Presentation Night
Last Saturday night close to 120 people attended our PRESENTATION NIGHT for season 2011-2012 at Bulli Workers Club.
The club had another stella season with Club President Keith Caldwell highlighting in his welcome speech the great achievements of club members in lifesaving, education, member development & surf sports.
Our sponsors were acknowledged for their important contribution to the club & a special DVD compiled by Ingrid Cardillo was shown highlighting our season.
Congratulations to our major club award winners on the night;
Club Patrol Efficiency Award 'Owen Mercer' Memorial Trophy
This was a very hard award with the standards of our patrol teams improving each season. The club recently finished equal 2nd in the Illawarra Branch Bluescope Steel Patrol Efficiency Program. Remembering this is our No.1 priority to being pro-active on the beach & to make sure our beach is safe for all to attend. 4 teams were in the running Patrol1 (Al Green), Patrol 5 (Scott Gordon), Patrol 6 (Paul Hennessy) & Patrol 8 (Dave Greene) with the winning team being Patrol 6 won the award with 7 members obtaining 100% attendance (5 Bronze & 2 SRC) © Paul Hennessy - V© Brittany Sharkey - Emma Lockhart - Ben Lowe - Allana Roscoe - Daniel Porra - Ashley Unicombe - Heath Mercer - Nathan Hennessy - Lachlan Hennessy - Riley Lord - Connor Basham
100% Patrol Attendance
List is too long but 45 members achieved 100% patrol attedance, a great effort. They will all receive a short sleeve patrol rash shirt at the start of this season's patrols.
Rookie Patrol Member of the Year
Brittany Iliffe – didn’t miss a patrol this season gaining 100% attendance, even though not competing in major surf sports this season. Brittany was very active in her patrol duties, arriving on time in correct patrol uniform. She was never shy in assisting with set up & packing away of equipment. Did what she was asked on every occasion, assisted in roving patrols & took particular interest with junior activities whilst on patrol.
Patrol Member of the Year
Paul Brightwell – long term patrolling member and loves it, even though he didn’t get the best weather conditions when he was on patrol, but was happy because he purchased a surf rescue jacket & wears it everywhere. Paul goes about his business with a minimum of fuss and if he is not in the water he is always seen at the water’s edge vigilantly surveying the conditions & the public’s safety. Paul was a 100% patrolling member and a very experienced man to have on your patrol.
'Russ Jones'Trophy as Best Performed Boat Crew
A Boat Crew (Paul Jones-Ben Lowe-Heath Mercer-Dan Porra-Dean Roberts) Great season by the guys with the following results; Branch Championship 1st Lifesaver Relay, 2nd Open Boat, 1st Boat Relay, plus 1st placed A crew in South Coast Boat Series, 4th overall in Ocean Thunder Boat Series (1st in the final round), at the NSW Championships they won 3 medals 1st Open Boat, 2nd Boat Relay & 3rd Lifesaver Relay, plus at the Australian Championships finalist Open Boat & Lifesaver Relay
President’s Award
Mal Nelson - A valuable member of the club, not known as a leader, but a great worker. He assisted with the education/lifesaving program at the club by training members in various courses, his experience always shining through & members really like his pleasurable nature around the surf club. Always available to assist and was also available on our annual proficiency days. He is a patrol vice captain & just missed being 100% in attendance this season by 1 patrol. Understatement but loves the social side of surf club and always supportive of any club activity.
Bulli Workers Club Trophy (dual winners)
Lincoln Costello – could have kicked stones all year after not being a Level 1 Surf Sports Coach to sweep his 2 crews. He still assisted with training of same when available, coaching, training and development for junior crews, ladies crews and aspects of rowing from gymnasium work, to fitness work, still water and competition work. Helped with the George Bass Surf Boat Marathon for the early part as support, media officer & photographer plus also towed one of the boat trailers to Nationals this season. He is one of our club photographers and does a great job in providing quality photographs for Bulli SLSC. Lincoln is also on the building committee & was Assistant Team Manager – State & Australian Championships (Boat Section). He is always assisting with fundraising and social events when work permits.
Russell Brinkworth – really enjoyed surf club life this season & showed energy in everything he did. He obtained his Level 1 Surf Official accreditation this season and assisted the junior section (which he has no kids involved) and the senior section at carnivals this season. Russell did the sign-writing of the Junior Craft Trailer with club sponsors highlighted, which was a fantastic job, charging the club nothing. This trailer was used by the senior section as well at State/Nationals, so a great promotion for our surf club & sponsors. He also put his hand up to drive a surf/craft gear trailer to State & Nationals this season. Participated in fundraising activities and supports the club in social events.
'Ken Baker' Surf Sports Athlete of the Year
Hannah Minogue had an outstanding season competing strongly all season. Hannah was captain of the Illawarra Branch Team & also gained selection in the NSW Interstate Team. She won 4 medals at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships (1st Open Female Ski, 3rd Open Iron-woman, 3rd Open Female Board & 3rd as part of the Lifeaver Relay). Hannah also made 3 individual finals at Aussies with a great 6th placing in the Open Female Ski.
U15 Club Person of the Year – ‘Jack Horne Memorial Trophy’
Bridgette Lockhart was a 100% patrolling member, assisted in fundraising plus during the year assisted with junior activities water safety on occasions, engaged in rookie program activities. At the Branch Championships she won 1 Gold & 3 Silver, State Championships 1 Gold (U17 Female Surf) plus 4th U15 Female Surf Teams, 4th U15 Female Cameron Relay, Australian Championships finalist U15 Female Surf Teams and made final of U15 Female Board Relay but had to pull out due to injury. Selected in Illawarra Branch Team
U19 Club Person of the Year – ‘Fred Dunn Memorial Trophy’
Lachlan O’Grady was a 100% patrolling member & assisted in club fundraising activities throughout the year. On the surf sports page he was 2nd Sydney Water Series U17 Male Water point-score, won a staggering 23 medals at the Branch Championships (9 Gold 9 Silver 5 Bronze), State Championships 1 Silver & 2 Bronze (2nd U17 Male Ski, 3rd Lifesaver Relay & 3rd U17 Male Belt), plus 5th U17 Iron-man, 6th Open Taplin & finalist U17 Male Surf, Australian Championships 1 Bronze (3rd U17 Male Belt) & finalist in U17 Male Surf, U17 Iron-man, U17 Male Taplin Relay, Lifesaver relay. Selected in Illawarra Branch Team
Club Person of the Year –‘John Bruton Memorial Trophy’
Al Green – is a current patrol captain, completed 34 hours of patrol this season (extra 6.5hrs voluntary) & had 100% patrol attendance. He obtained a new lifesaving award this season Silver Medallion IRB Driver. He took on the role of IRB/ATV captain and worked tireless all year to maintain both in good working order, often coming out on days off to attend to maintenance issues or deliver outboard engines & ATV to service centres. Always involved in fundraising activities, loves the social aspect of surf life saving and supports any club event with attendance when able to with work commitments. He is also a first year management committee member. Al attended the George Bass Surf Boat Marathon for a couple of days helping on one day with Garry Horne as ‘support crew in the back up boat’. He also assisted with the education for members who obtained their IRB Crewman Certificate this season. He also at the last minute when Scott Gordon was unable due to work commitments acted as our IRB representative at the National Surf Championships (requirement due to athlete numbers), swapped work shifts & represented our club for 6 days from the Tuesday to Saturday 5am-5pm & Sunday 5am-3pm. Al received the Bulli Workers Trophy last season, but has gone to another level with his commitment to the club this season, seeing him gain the top award.
2012 Presentation Night 21 July
ANNUAL PRESENTATION NIGHT
Bulli Workers Club Saturday 21 July 6.30pm
$30 pp includes 2 course meal. Smart casual dress. In our 99th year we gained many outstanding achievements throughout our junior section, lifesaving, education, member development and surf sports. We have again proudly maintained our record of "NO LIVES LOST WHILST BULLI SURF CLUB MEMBERS ARE ON PATROL". Our results have been achieved through the combined efforts of members, parents & families, supporters & sponsors of Bulli Surf Life Saving Club. This is a reminder for all club members. It would be great if you could attend and help celebrate our success, your contribution and acknowledge our worthy club award winners. If you wish to attend please contact either Barry Adams (Secretary) stalky7@bigpond.com or Keith Caldwell (President) mkcaldwell@bigpond.com . Names are required prior to Wednesday 18 July for catering purposes.
Barefoot Bowls a success!
Yesterday on a mild sunny winter's afternoon approximately 80 Bulli surf club members & their friends put on display their barefoot bowls skills at Thirroul Bowling Leagues & Recreation Club.
Maybe some should stick with what they do best, surf club competition and patrols.
It was a great day of socializing with teams of 4 rotating around the 2 greens with cool refreshments in hand trying to shown their superior skills. Heaps of random prizes were also given to bowlers...good or bad!
After the outdoor green activities people moved inside to purchase raffle tickets and with a few silent auction items going under the hammer as well.
In all a good day & $1,800 raised for our surf sports athletes travelling to South Australia in November for the 2012 World Life Saving Championships (Rescue 2012).
Thanks to Keith Caldwell, Lincoln Costello, Maria Caldwell, Julie Heycott, Russ Jones, Barry Adams & Barry Lowe for their work on the day organising raffle prizes & silent auction items, selling raffle tickets, collecting payment from bowlers, cooking the BBQ.
Thankyou to our members & friends who supported this event.
Special thanks to Glenn MacMillan (General Manager) of Thirroul Bowling Leagues & Recreation Club for allowing us use of their facilities.
BULLI wins 6 awards at SLSI AOE
Great to see the club and its members recognised at the Surf Life Saving Illawarra Awards of Excellence night at the Portofino Function Centre in Wollongong with 6 winners, 1 runner -up & 3 highly commended awards going the maroon & gold way.
First up it was our young 'beachie' Ashley Dribbus won collected the Junior Female Athlete of the Year (8-14yrs).
Next it was our two of our senior surf sports stars, namely Hannah Minogue & Mitchell Fagerstrom who collected the respective Female & Male Surf Sports Athlete of the Year. Dave Greene was then announced as a worthy winner of the Surf Sports Official of the Year.
The club received the Surf Sports Club of the Year title for its outstanding display at the 2012 Illawarra Branch Championships where our members completely dominated the combined junior & senior point-score winning over 200 medals.
3 of our members also collected high commendations in their respective categories; Lachlan O'Grady (Young Male Surf Sports Athlete 15-19yrs), Bridgette Lockhart (Young Female Surf Sports Athlete 15-19yrs) & our Open Mens Boat Crew (Paul Jones, Dan Porra, Heath Mercer, Ben Lowe, Dean Roberts) in the Surf Sports Team of the Year.
A big congratulations goes to our patrolling members and lifesaving team for their efforts during the year with the club finishing a close runner-up in the Illawarra Patrol Effeciency Competition.
To cap the night off Sean Taylor was announced Junior Activity Volunteer of the Year.
Well done to all of the Illawarra lifesavers who received nominations & to those who collected awards on the night, all richly deserved for their volunteer work. Well done to our southern neighbours Woonona SLSC on winning Club of the Year.
Barefoot Bowls Sunday 24 June
Invitation to all surf club members and their families plus supporters of the club to come along to a great social interactive afternoon of Barefoot Bowls on Sunday 24 June at Thirroul Bowling Leagues & Recreation Club.
Date: Sunday 24 June 2012 1pm-4pm. Report 12.30pm for placement into a team.
Location: Thirroul Bowling Leagues & Recreation Club, Station Street Thirroul
Cost: $15pp includes sausage sizle & drink voucher (bowls supplied but you can bring your own of course)
Raffle to be held & mystery prizes on the day!
Contact Lincoln Costello 0419-407446 or Keith Caldwell 0414-258295 to register for the afternoon of bowls
100 year celebrations
We are celebrating 100 years of vigilance and service to the community.
The first events celebrating this great milestone is to happen over the weekend of 12-13-14 October 2012.
A formal luncheon will take place on Saturday 13 October 2012 at Panorama House, Bulli Tops.
For more information please see the notice of the event.
Any further enquiries can be directed to bulli100years@gmail.com
Winter Training - Juniors
WINTER TRAINING UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF KEVIN STARLING (JUNIOR CLUB COACH)
An invitation is extended to all members, especially nippers/juniors, new members, U15-U17 surf athletes to come along to board /surf training.
Junior parent members who have the relevant qualifications (surf rescue certificate or bronze medallion) are more than welcome to attend and learn how to use rescue boards and rescue tubes for water safety duties.
Any club coaches are also welcome to attend, especially those that did the Junior Coaching Course recently with Kevin at the surf club.
Starting 2pm Sunday 3rd June and every Sunday thereafter.
For any further enquiries please contact Kevin on mobile 0434248701 or email starlo13@hotmail.com
Dean Dudley - elected Director of Education SLSNSW
Congratulations to Dean Dudley on being today appointed New South Wales Surf Life Saving Director of Education after voting at the State Centre Executive Meeting.
Dean has been the club's Chief Instructor (Director of Education) for the past 8 years and has been instrumental in making our club members aware of their responsibilities towards education & lifesaving. Heaps of members (including numerous Junior Parents) have over this period been active in obtaining awards & qualifications to assist the surf club in lifesaving duties.
He has also been a Patrol Captain during this time and this past season took on the role of Under 6 Age Manager within the Junior Activities Section of the club. Dean has been part of the Management Committee at the club and is a very passionate person when it comes to education & lifesaving for our members.
Dulux Building Fund Raffle Winners
BULLI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB DULUX PROMOTION BUILDING FUND RAFFLE was drawn last night at Bulli Workers Club.
1st Prize Ticket No2463 B Denner
2nd Prize Ticket No 2453 K Denner
3rd Prize Ticket No 1748 K Paterson
First prize was a 9' Malibu (Raw Design) valued at $1,300. Second Prize ' A Room of Paint ' which included 1 x 10lt Wash & Wear, 1 x 4lt Ceiling & 1 x 2lt Aquanamel paint valued at $240. Third Prize $30 Gift Voucher from Bulli Home Timber & Hardware plus $100 worth of Carlton Breweries merchandise.
All winners have been contacted & are very happy with their prizes. Victor (Manager) from Bulli Home Timber & Hardware drew the winning tickets.
The surf club would like to thank Dulux Paint, The Hardware Man stores including Bulli Home Timber & Hardware, Inspirations, Carlton Breweries & Colour Print Solutions (printing of tickets) for their support.
All proceeds will go towards our proposed building extensions on the southern side of the surf club.
Club President - named as Rescue 2012 Australian Team Manager
Surf Life Saving Australia & Royal Life Saving Australia are delighted to announce the Team Management of the Australian Life Saving Teams for Rescue 2012 (World Championships) which are to be held from the 7 Nov to 11 Nov 2012 in South Australia.
The Management Teams are as follows:
Open Team AUS TEAM
Team Manager – Keith Caldwell, Bulli SLSC
Ocean Coach – Danny Short, Maroochydoore SLSC
Pool Coach – Rebecca Cohen, WA RLSSA
Sport Scientist – Wade Sinclair, Picnic Bay SLSC
Physiotherapist – Troy Eady, Byron Bay SLSC
U/20 Team AUS TEAM
Team Manager – Katrina Kirk, QLD RLSSA
Ocean Coach – Barry Newman, Northcliffe SLSC
Pool Coach – James Evans, Mordialloc SLSC
Sport Scientist – Caitlin Braddick, Southport SLSC
Physiotherapist – Nick Marshall, Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC
Our Club President Keith Caldwell has previously been an Australian Surf Life Saving Team Manager in 2007 Australian Invitational Team - International Pool Rescue Challenge vs New Zealand @ Homebush Sydney, in 2007 Australian Open Team - International Surf Challenge @ Bondi Beach, in 2008 Australian U21 Development Team - Sanyo Bussan International @ Japan, in 2009 Australian Open Team - International Surf Challenge @ Durban South Africa & in 2011 Australian U21 Development Team – International Surf Rescue Challenge @ New Zealand.
This is the first occasion for Keith as a World Championship's Team Manager and he is looking forward to the appointment.
"I am very excited and privileged to be selected as the Australian Team Manager and look forward to working with the National HP athletes & others in the management team to justify Australia's standing as No.1 in Life Saving at Rescue 2012. This is an achievement for not only myself but for Bulli SLSC in our standing as a successful surf sports club"
National HP Squad named - Coach & Manager from Bulli
The 2012-2013 Body Science National High Performance Squad has been announced. The squad of 50 top athletes (10 Elite Men & 10 Women plus 15 Development Men & Women) will now commence preparation for Rescue 2012 in Adelaide this November, with Surf Life Saving Australia setting their sights on defending their mantle as World Champion's.
SLSA congratulates all athletes and coaches selected. There will be 2 Australian Teams selected (Open & U19) to compete at Rescue 2012.
Both Downie Langthorne & Keith Caldwell have gained a start as Coach & Manager of the Squad. Congratulations to both!
Downie after a long career representing Australia as an athlete has taken the step up to the mark as one of 6 coaches in the squad, with his expertise a great bonus in both surf & pool rescue events. This is a just reward for Downie with our senior club squad gaining some excellent results over the past few seasons.
Keith is also one of 3 managers who will look after the squad during the winter months and is excited to work with such a talented bunch of athletes & management team.
Unfortunately 4 of our athletes who nominated for the squad namely Mitch Fagerstrom, Hannah Minogue, Beau Wheeler & Lachlan O'Grady missed selection but they should be proud of their efforts during the past season and their time will come for higher representative honours.
SRC & Bronze Course - open to club members
BRONZE MEDALLION/SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE COURSE
Date: Saturday 5th May & Sunday 6th May 2012
Location: Bulli Surf Club
Times: 9am-5.00pm both days Please note - Must be in attendance for both days as it is too difficult to catch up on any missed sessions.
Workbooks will be utilised during the course & will be completed during the face to face sessions. An introductory letter will also be sent out the week leading into the course outlining what you will need to bring.
This is a very good time to do either your Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion as the water is usually still quite warm & conditions very calm this time of year. Important for Junior Parents wishing to assist with water safety on Sundays at Bulli SLSC next summer & at surf carnivals.
Surf Rescue Certificate and Bronze Medallion are part of the education program provided by Surf Life Saving Australia. For Nippers to continue on to their next phase of being Rookies, this is a mandatory requirement & once completed they then can do patrols on Bulli Beach.
Please Note: Members will be placed on a patrol roster when the course is completed and are expected to patrol Bulli Beach next summer (Oct 2012 to April 2013).
Please note: Surf Rescue Certificate is the minimal award required for a member to assist with water safety duty at nippers &/or surf carnivals.
Please Note: Junior Activities Parents that complete either their Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion will be expected to assisted with water safety at nipper Sunday mornings and/or surf carnivals. Assistance with patrols at suitable times will be requested from time to time as well (they do not have to placed on a patrol roster if they wish not too & if over 35yrs of age).
SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE Candidate must be a minimum of 13 years of age AT THE COMPLETION OF THE COURSE
BRONZE MEDALLION Candidate must be a minimum of 15 years of age AT THE COMPLETION OF THE COURSE
Enrolment Keith Caldwell – mkcaldwell@bigpond.com or Dean Dudley - deandudley@gmail.com
Pool Rescue Clinic at Bulli this Sunday 22 April
In consultation with our Head Surf/Craft/Pool Rescue Coach (Downie Langthorne) this Sunday 22 April starting at 10am Bulli Beach the club will be holding a Club Pool Rescue Clinic for U12’s right through to Masters.
U12-U14 are now included in the Pool Rescue Program of events at State & Nationals. So if we have any younger members that swim train or are keen to try some different events in a pool environment with manikins, swim fins & rescue tubes.....then this is for you.....you are more than welcome! For our Masters athletes, you no longer have events at State & Nationals in the pool but there are some events at Rescue 2012.
Can U12-U15 members please bring rubber fins, the surf club will also supply rescue tubes, manikins & pool rescue fins to the senior members at the session.
With the NSW (Peninsula Leisure Centre Woy Woy 28 & 29 July) & Australian Championships (South Australia Aquatic & Leisure Centre 17-19 August) coming up it is a good opportunity to refresh our memories with the events that occur and do this in a firstly, relaxed atmosphere down at the beach, with further sessions at later dates in a pool environment.
A DVD will be shown highlighting events & various techniques at 10am and then hit the pool after that for some training under the watchful eyes of some of our talented senior squad members. At our club we have Australian Reps in Downie Langthorne, Mitchell Fagerstrom & Sean White plus along with former Australian & World Champions in Matthew Freeman, Ben Denner, Greg Miller, Brittany Sharkey & Drew Cairncross who have indicated that they will assist with our program & training sessions.
Regards
Keith Caldwell
Surf Sports Manager
Great results at Aussies -medals won by U23 Female Boat & Lachlan O'Grady
A wrap up of the clubs results at Aussies, well it wasn’t the best year for medals, but there were a lot of promising signs from all aspects of our surf sports areas. New boat crews doing well, younger surf/craft athletes making finals. Unfortunately we had a few injuries with Michael Harris, onen of our Masters guys with the most serious (Torn Achilles right ankle 4-6 months of rehabilitation), Bridgette Lockhart with a torn calf muscle & Lincoln Costello with a sprained ankle (Sunday night accident!)
Firstly, as a club we must thank the following people for helping out with duties associated with surf sports during the year, but most importantly at the State & National Championships. If any names are missing from the below thankyou’s please accept the clubs apologies. As always we have a great bunch of people who continually put their hand up to assist the club with surf sports duties during the season. From all athletes & parents concerned it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks must go to our hard working officials namely Dennis Allen, Kevin Starling, John Meehan, Dave Greene, Peter Hammersley, Al Green & Leanne Taylor who between them worked at Junior State, Senior State & Aussies. Well done to our competition secretary’s Maria Caldwell (Senior’s) & Leanne Taylor (Juniors) for the hours in submitting entries.
Special mention to big Al Green who toiled for 6 days at Aussies from 5am-5pm each day in the IRB area.......big effort & noted by all surf sports athletes.....if we didn’t have Al there as our IRB representative the club would not have started in events!
Massive thanks to Lincoln Costello, Paul Jones, Ben Lowe, Russell Brinkworth, Keith Caldwell, Brett Wheeler, Dave O’Grady & Sean Taylor for the towing of craft & boat trailers to State/Aussies.
To our members who acted as Area Managers at both championships making sure athletes knew when events were on & marked off, a big thank-you to Keith Caldwell, Robyn Fagerstrom, Kris Crilley, Sean Minogue, Lisa O’Grady, Sandra Brinkworth, Peter Lord, Stu Brown, Debbie Brown, Paul Jones, Lincoln Costello & Leanne Taylor.
Approximately 80 people attended our post Aussies dinner at Broadbeach Bowling Club and a great night was had by everyone that attended. It was great to see our family atmosphere to the fore with athletes & parents mixing from both the surf/craft & boat sections. Big thank-you to Colleen Gilbert from Broadbeach Bowling Club for assisting on the night.
Congratulations to our 2 Australian medallists, huge efforts & richly deserved;
3rd U23 Female Boat Crew (Shane Geloven, Olivia Krowka, Sheree Gallagher, Melanie Ireland & Elizabeth Walker).....first year of rowing with Olivia, Sheree & Melanie gaining their bronze medallion only this year!
3rd U17 Male Belt (Lachlan O’Grady & belt team Dave O’Grady, Oscar Bradley, Emma Lockhart & Jake Hogarth)
Outstanding achievements by the following members to make an Australian Final;
110yrs Male Ski Relay – Michael Locke/Peter Lord/Ian Timbrell
40-44yrs Female Ski – Kimberley Fleming
40-44yrs Female Board – Kimberley Fleming
40-44yrs Female Surf – Kimberley Fleming
40-44yrs Iron-woman – Kimberley Fleming
45-49yrs Male 2km Beach Run – Peter Richards
40-44yrs Male Double Ski – Michael Locke/Ian Timbrell
130yrs Male Taplin Relay – Peter Lord/Brett Wheeler/Michael Locke
Open Surf – Mitchell Fagerstrom
Open Iron-woman – Hannah Minogue
Open Female Ski – Hannah Minogue
Open Male Surf Teams – Mitchell Fagerstrom/Beau Wheeler/Sean White/Matthew Crilley
Open Male Ski – Downie Langthorne
Open Lifesaver Relay – Paul Jones/Ben Lowe/Heath Mercer/Daniel Porra/Dean Roberts (A Boat Crew), Downie Langthorne (Open Ski), Beau Wheeler (U19 Board), Lachlan O’Grady (U17 Surf) & Hannah Minogue (Female Sprint)
Open Male Boat – Paul Jones/Ben Lowe/Heath Mercer/Daniel Porra/Dean Roberts
U19 Iron-man – Beau Wheeler
U19 Male Surf – Beau Wheeler
U17 Male Surf – Lachlan O’Grady
U17 Female Surf – Jamie Brinkworth
U17 Iron-man – Lachlan O’Grady
U17 Male Taplin Relay – Lachlan O’Grady/Dale Dawson/Calvin Richards
U15 Female Surf Teams – Abbey Dawson/Kiah Taylor/Emma Brown/Bridgette Lockhart
U15 Female Surf – Abbey Dawson
U15 Female Rescue Tube – Kiah Taylor
U15 Female Board Relay – Kiah Taylor/Emma Brown/Abbey Dawson * Bridgette Lockhart injured & replaced by Abbey in final.
Tragedy at Aussies - R.I.P Matthew Barclay
As President & Surf Sports Manager of Bulli Surf Life Saving Club each year I give a summary of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and how our athletes go in their events. Only 2 years ago Saxon Bird from Queenscliff SLSC lost his life whilst competing in the Kurrawa surf, a tragedy that affected everybody concerned, including some of our members who were very close to Saxon. Now it seems quite sombre to experience another drowning at a major surf sports event. As most would already know young Matthew Barclay from Maroochydore SLSC lost his life whilst competing in an U15 male board event.
A majority of our members were on the beach on the Wednesday when the alarm was raised that an U15 competitor was missing. We had U15 male & female competitors in the area when the incident occurred & the search took place. Hundreds searched for the rest of the day without result. Our management team made sure that everybody was trying to cope with the sad news of Matthew Barclay, firstly missing and then located when his body was pulled from the water the following morning. He had suffered major trauma to his head, most likely hit by his own board, or that of another competitor. Tears were shed on the sand by young competitors, mums, dads, officials and emergency personnel over the days of the championships.
The greater lifesaving family helped each other through this sad ordeal, with professional counselling offered by SLSA over the course of the championships which after much discussion re-commenced at North Kirra on the Friday. To our members please let it be known that counselling is still available from our State Centre Surf Life Saving New South Wales. This has been a very stressful time for all concerned, please look out for your friends & fellow club members for signs of post traumatic stress and don’t hesitate to contact myself or my wife Maria if you need help and we can point you in the right direction. We need to ensure our surf lifesaving family assists each other at this difficult time.
A lot has been said about the incident & I am sure most would have read newspapers or listened to television stories about surf life saving in general. Some of the information reported has personally disgusted me concerning the continued bagging of a great organization. Surf Life Saving is the Australian way of life, getting our kids to grow up wanting to do patrols and maybe race in surf sports events, it’s about mate-ship that lasts a life time. It's a tragedy and surf lifesavers are grieving as one alongside the family of young Matthew. There is no denying the surf movement has battled in dealing with the aftermath of Saxon's death - its previously untarnished reputation has taken a battering. I personally would like to see the championships moved away from Kurrawa Beach, but that is my thoughts as an individual. I also spoke with members of the Organising Committee & Competition Committee including Surf Sports General Manager (Dave Thompson) & Surf Life Saving President (Graham Ford) plus Surf Life Saving’s Legal Counsel about issues leading up to the incident. The decision was made by the Competition Committee to keep the carnival running, a decision not made lightly and made by people with hundreds of years experience in the movement. I personally made sure it was known to each of our area managers & competitors that if they wished not to compete on any given day due to the surf conditions, it was not a problem, the club would stand by their decision.
We say it each year, “what is Kurrawa going to throw at us?” But teams travel there with members from U15 (including U13-U14’s with awards) through to Masters keen to challenge themselves in the testing conditions, including parents as coaches, managers & even as masters athletes.
Conditions were rough, especially on the low tide, with the competition committee meeting every hour to discuss what events could go ahead. Big sets of waves were rolling through every few minutes, some breaking hundreds of metres out. But that's normal at a big, open beach like Kurrawa, where 15 of the past 19 national titles have been held. Conditions were variable across the many competition areas stretching almost a kilometre along the beach, depending on the position of sandbanks and wave zones. Surf boat races had been suspended a few hundred metres up the beach after a spate of injuries amid the dumping waves and heavy, cumbersome boats. Similarly, the two-person women's double ski event had been postponed due to the size of the craft and the tidal conditions. But for smaller, individual craft like skis and boards, it was business as usual. Surf conditions on Tuesday were not as big or as bad as those terrible, cyclone-driven days. Challenging, yes, but many on the beach saw it as nothing more than another testing day at the "Aussies", the sport's highest arena of competition.
Just to let people know that after Saxon Bird’s death in 2010 & subsequent Coroners Inquiry, what cannot be questioned is that there was a very definite response to the recommendations following his death in 2010. Apart from inflatable life vests, of which 16 versions are being considered and tested, every recommendation made by the coroner had been implemented. 3 tragedies have occurred in an ocean environment (all at Kurrawa....Robert Gatenby 1996 - boat, Saxon Bird 2010 - ski & Matthew Barclay 2012 - board) that can be as unforgiving as it is awe-inspiring. Sadly, none of that good work will bring back Matthew, Saxon or Robert. It's perhaps worth remembering that the very reason lifesavers exist is to protect swimmers from the extreme dangers of the surf and as it has been mentioned sometimes, tragically, the surf is too strong for even lifesavers.
The actions of Matthew's parents (Stephen & Donna) in encouraging his Maroochydore club mates to stay and compete in the 14-year-old's honour at the remainder of the national titles is a moving tribute to their young son. Some competed...some didn’t. For most of us it would be hard to understand the incredible loss and grief suffered by all those close to Matthew. The strength of Matthew’s family especially his mother & father had to be seen to be believed. They were on the beach at North Kirra on the Friday dealing with their grief in their own way, many a tears flowed when the U15 Maroochydore girls won gold in 2 team events. Some of our members attended the Memorial Service at Kurrawa Beach on the Sunday morning prior to competition starting with Matthew’s dad (Steve) speaking to everybody that attended the service ......how hard it was.....a very important part of the grieving process!
I hope that we don’t lose any of our current or future members from our great movement, volunteers who keep our beach safe, but I can understand if it does happen. We do this because we love teaching our younger members how to handle the surf. As everybody knows volunteers are already stretched protecting our beaches, catering to the expectation of Australians that the red-and-yellow flags are there and we will look out for everybody whilst at the beach.
So in closing I will send through another email after the Easter Break with our club results.
I am sure everybody would join with me & offer our condolences, thoughts & prayers to the Barclay family. Matthew was laid to rest last Thursday in a very moving ceremony on the Sunshine Coast.
Life can be short, make sure you enjoy life to the fullest!
Rest in Peace Matthew Barclay....a champion young kid gone too early in life!
Yours In Surfing
Keith Caldwell
President
BULLI SLSC
Good Luck at Aussies to our athletes
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships commence next Monday 26 March at Kurrawa Beach in Queensland with our Masters guys/girls going around over 2 days. Then our U15-U17-U19-Open athletes in boat/surf/craft events get to do their stuff from Wednesday through to the following Sunday.
After some great results from the NSW Championships and the hard training continuing, the club is hopefully of some podium finishes. But as we all know the Kurrawa break can be so cruel & unkind.
To keep up to date with how our athletes are going check out our Surf Club Face-Book page Bullislsc
Nipper Presentation Day this Sunday 25 March 9am Start
Come along and enjoy the last day of Nippers with our Junior Presentation to be held this Sunday 25 March 9am at Bulli Surf Club. Heaps of fun to be had by the kids, plus also presentation of various award winners from the seasons results incuding Club Champions & Club Person of the Year.
BBQ & drink supplied with a $2 donation towards our Dulux Raffle Promotion where somebody could win a 9ft 'Raw' Malibu Surfboard as 1st prize, other great prizes also available. If you could also take a book of tickets it would be greatly appreciated as all funds go into our Building Fund for our proposed extensions. Please see Julie Heycott if you can assist.
The Junior Activities AGM will then be held directly after the Presentation, so if you are keen to stand for a position please let Peter Lord or Leanne Lunney know prior or on the day.
Massive thanks to all of our sponsors who have supported the Junior Activities Section thropughout the year, it was greatly appreciated.