The official figure is a tick over 33,000, but many go unrecorded. I count myself amongst the unofficial mob, having been saved from a rip at Avoca many years ago.
The Surf Life Saving Central Coast Branch was formed in October 1938 at a meeting featuring the five original Central Coast surf clubs: The Entrance, Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Killcare and Ocean Beach.
At that time, Surf Life Saving was growing at a rapid rate with Sydney and country visitors flocking to a region considered a paradise long before the Bananabenders grabbed the title.
Now there are 15 clubs on the coast stretching from Umina in the South to Lakes at the top end.
Every summer, come rain hale or vicious storms, they go on patrol, putting their lives on the line to ensure others are safe.
I came across a wall at Tuggerah Westfield Shopping Centre listed the amazing, dramatic heroics of both experienced and younger life savers in our region. It is a daily vigil that goes largely unreported.
Surf clubs attract many business people to their ranks. They enjoy giving back to their community and also the comradeship a great surf club provides. And there is also the exhilaration of competing against other clubs and being first home of that lucky late wave.
Central Coast Council is a strong supporter of Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and recently presented them with a $201,000 cheque at North Avoca Surf Club, for the first installment of a three-year sponsorship funding agreement.
Announced in July 2017, the funding will assist SLSCC with maintaining vital beach safety services across 15 surf clubs on the Central Coast.
Mayor, Jane Smith said the funding program would allow for the development and growth of Surf Life Saving on the Coast.
“The sponsorship funding will assist Surf Life Saving with continuing to provide the community with essential beach patrol services, life saving equipment and educational swim between the flag messaging,” Mayor Smith said.
“Local surf clubs are vital to the overall services provided to our community. Volunteer lifesavers patrol our beaches on weekends and on public holidays, while Council lifeguards patrol from Monday to Friday.
”By working in partnership we can ensure seamless service seven days a week. It’s vital that Council and Surf Life Saving work together to maintain our reputation as having some of the safest beaches and the highest quality lifesaving services in Australia.”
On our beaches last summer, volunteer lifesavers at Central Coast beaches saved 1,115 lives; prevented a further 16,320 people from getting into difficulty; and contributed almost 100,000 volunteer patrol hours keeping the public safe.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO, Chris Parker said the movement was grateful that Central Coast Council had continued to recognize the importance of such a necessary community service.
“The funding provided by Council will ensure volunteer lifesavers from local surf will have all the necessary lifesaving equipment they need to protect the community at Central Coast beaches this summer,” said Mr Parker.
“The positive relationship we have with Council is very important, as it ensures aligned lifesaving services and the safest beaches possible for the Central Coast community.”
