Beach patrols start this weekend at our three Surf Life Saving Clubs, heralding the start of summer. All three are keen to welcome new members of all ages.

Kiama Downs

This season is a particularly special one for Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club as it is their 40th season.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Club is welcoming everyone to come and join a day of family, friendly fun with a jumping castle, BBQ, music and games this Saturday, 24 September.

The Club is also recognising key events and the people who have contributed to its development with a commemorative pathway to be installed at the northern entrance to the Clubhouse.

“We’re looking to recognise special events and big achievements, and just how the club became the club it is today,” Club President Brett Schweitzer (above) says.

The pathway is set to join the existing footpath to the Clubhouse, with construction starting soon.

Brett says the 40th anniversary is about celebrating how members of the community have come together over the years.

“The Club was founded by community members after an incident on the South end of the beach. Sponsors later became part of it but it initially was about the community coming together and that is what we are celebrating,” he says.

Brett is encouraging people to come join the ‘family, friendly Club’ this season.

“They don’t have to be highly skilled to become a member of the club. We will train people whether it be as an active patrol member or something behind the scenes.”

Kiama

The Kiama Surf Life Saving Club is holding an open day so the public can come and learn what the Club does across all facets of life saving, as well as find out about their other programs and community initiatives.

It hopes this Open Day will not only rekindle old memories for some, but start others on the path of engaging with a club with a proud history.

Club President, Ben George, says the aim is to generate interest and momentum at the start of the season to attract more members.

“We have been struggling with membership over the last few seasons, so despite getting the Club ready ahead of the season, such as doing our proficiencies and making sure everyone is up to speed, we are also trying something new,” Ben says.

Nippers will start in October

“With COVID, we had to close shop for the last few years, and this is about welcoming the community back in for surf lifesaving and seeing if we can get some more people out on the beach. It's not just us, many volunteer organisations are struggling these days.

“We want to show the community that you don’t have to be an ‘iron man’ to patrol, you just need to be someone who’s keen and wants to help out, and we can show you the different avenues available.”

The Open Day will be on Sunday October 9 from 3 to 5.30pm.

Gerringong

Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club has been working to get the Club ready ahead of the season.

Club President, Gary George, says there are always plenty of preliminary things to do before the season can get under way.

“We will need to do our gear inspections, ensuring our patrol rosters are sorted, and making sure everyone is re-registered with the Club and ready to go,” Gary says.

“Generally, it is all of those housekeeping items that we need to get into shape before we can start patrolling.”

Due to a popular season last year with holiday makers returning to town after COVID, Gary says they are preparing for another busy season.

“Hopefully the rain stays away as it was a fairly wet season last year, but even then, we still had a lot of tourists who enjoyed the ocean. So I think it is going to be a good summer,” Gary says.

With seven patrol teams and over 90 patrolling members on the Club’s rosters, Gary says despite having a strong growth rate, they are always looking for new members.

“People can come and get trained in their Bronze Medallion and contribute to the community via patrolling the beach,” Gary said.

“We do like to encourage parents in the Nippers program to get their qualifications and help out with the Sunday morning program. They can then come into our patrol when their kids get older, if they stick with the Club.”

To become a member of Kiama Downs, Kiama, or Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, go to the Surf Life Saving website here.