Three new volunteer lifesavers have joined the ranks at the Pambula Surf Life Saving Club.
Officials said it was the culmination of weeks of theory and practical training for the three hopeful lifesavers to qualify.
Hannah Walker, Connor Leayr and Kallan Lavender successfully completed their Certificate II Aquatic Rescue (Bronze Medallion) and then went on to complete the Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate.
Pambula SLSC’s Training Officer, Peter Bootes, said it was great to have three new senior lifesavers on-board, especially with the summer surf patrol season hotting up.
“These three joined Chris and Will Dickinson, Matt Harvey, Danny Hayes, Warren Jones, Andrew Love, Stuart Manson and Hamish Treloar to complete their Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate, which is also a great injection of more qualified lifesavers to bolster the patrols,” Mr Bootes said.
Officials at the club said ongoing training is the lifeblood of lifesaving clubs and there is a lot going on at present at Pambula.
The club recently welcomed several new graduates from the Rescue Water Craft (jet ski) qualifications with more in training.
Meanwhile, Kerryn and Gavin Granger conducted an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) school on the weekend for several new operators and crew.
The club’s Rescue Water Craft training coordinator, Don Hay, said the craft will be on the water a lot over summer.
“The operators in training have to log a minimum of 20 hours of driving prior to assessment and they are under direct supervision of qualified operators at all times,” Mr Hay said.
IRBs and the club jet ski were also assisting in safety at the recent Merimbula Classic surf event.
In upcoming events, the club’s Christmas Party will be held in conjunction with Twilight Nippers on Saturday evening, December 17.
Nippers president Andrew Holt said Santa will be making an appearance and his Elves will be serving cold refreshments and snacks in the clubrooms for all to enjoy.
In other lifesaving news, the Far South Coast Branch has finished 10th in the state at the annual Inter-branch championships over the weekend.
The FSC competitors faced fierce competition including vaslty larger branches from further up the coast.
Winners overall was the Sydney branch, 20 points ahead of the Northern Beaches branch.
One of the strongest results was the open women’s surf team, who finished sixth overall.
Officials commended competitors from the FSC, who competed well against much larger teams.
