Surf lifesaving
My journey in surf lifesaving has been an interesting journey. I will start by saying it has always been an enjoyable journey, but sometimes more than others. I was apprehensive in becoming a clubby initially. It took me a number of years to make the leap.
I commenced a Bronze Medallion course in September 2008. I totally enjoyed the course although I am the only active member from a group of sixteen that is still at the club performing patrols. I have improved my skills both in and out of the water greatly since joining the club. I have Operational First Aid as well as De-Fib qualification, Age Managers Accreditation and other awards for being an effective lifesaver.
I am also a qualified Lifeguard and have been for four years now. Jumping into the professional side of beach safety and participating in Nipper every Sunday morning for three years is probably proof of the love I have for the surf life saving culture.
The journey started with the Bronze Course then the patrols. The patrols were great, just turn up on time and leave after pack up and all it good. My Patrol Captain is the best, and he was also my trainer throughout the Bronze Course for six weeks. His people skills are second to none and I have learnt a lot about people management from him. I now take over the Patrol Captains role when he is away. I don't have a desire to have my own patrol at all, I just want to help Fritz when I'm needed and be a backstop for him and for J patrol.
I got involved in the competition side of the club as well. This was very strange at first as there are pecking orders, unwritten protocols, rules that changed depending on your social and acceptance seniority.I had a very little if any help from anybody. I was looked at sideways as if to say, "what are you doing here" type attitude from many of the long standing members. Very strange people and seemed very protective of their club, space, equipment, life style? I'm not sure why, I'm sure the medical profession has a name for it. I stuck in their butting heads with some along the way but my persistence slowly beat the resistance. I'm not saying the battle has been won but when you start beating then in races and performing better than them in competitions you slowly become accepted. (What a load of shit it is.) It reminds me a bit of ............
I commenced a Bronze Medallion course in September 2008. I totally enjoyed the course although I am the only active member from a group of sixteen that is still at the club performing patrols. I have improved my skills both in and out of the water greatly since joining the club. I have Operational First Aid as well as De-Fib qualification, Age Managers Accreditation and other awards for being an effective lifesaver.
I am also a qualified Lifeguard and have been for four years now. Jumping into the professional side of beach safety and participating in Nipper every Sunday morning for three years is probably proof of the love I have for the surf life saving culture.
The journey started with the Bronze Course then the patrols. The patrols were great, just turn up on time and leave after pack up and all it good. My Patrol Captain is the best, and he was also my trainer throughout the Bronze Course for six weeks. His people skills are second to none and I have learnt a lot about people management from him. I now take over the Patrol Captains role when he is away. I don't have a desire to have my own patrol at all, I just want to help Fritz when I'm needed and be a backstop for him and for J patrol.
I got involved in the competition side of the club as well. This was very strange at first as there are pecking orders, unwritten protocols, rules that changed depending on your social and acceptance seniority.I had a very little if any help from anybody. I was looked at sideways as if to say, "what are you doing here" type attitude from many of the long standing members. Very strange people and seemed very protective of their club, space, equipment, life style? I'm not sure why, I'm sure the medical profession has a name for it. I stuck in their butting heads with some along the way but my persistence slowly beat the resistance. I'm not saying the battle has been won but when you start beating then in races and performing better than them in competitions you slowly become accepted. (What a load of shit it is.) It reminds me a bit of ............
