How to become a lifesaver 2007/2008 season

Welcome all. After the amazing success of this year's inaugural lifesaver float in the 2007 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, there has been an influx of people wanting to know how they can join the lifesaving movement.

The season is about to kick off and the time to join is now upon us. In fact, you'd be amazed at how easy it is to join.

The prerequisites for getting your Bronze Medallion so you can become a lifesaver are the following,

• 400 metre pool swim within 9 minutes (this is quite easy - if you can swim 8 laps at a steady pace without stopping, you'll easily make the time)


• The ability to commit to an 8 week course - where you meet twice a week for approx 2 hours per time. The course is split up into theory (mid week, after work in the clubhouse, where you learn basic first aid, CPR, radio and flag communications) and practical (weekends, on the beach, where you learn board and tub rescues, swimming, spinal carries and patrol scenarios).Both sections of the course culminate in 2 exams - a theory and a practical.

The best part about doing your Bronze is the immense camaraderie that you will develop with the people in your squad as you learn to save lives together. Quite often they become friends for life.

Once you become a lifesaver you will join a patrol at the surf club you do your Bronze at and you will be expected to patrol the beach once a month for approx. 4 hours per time.

Every club has a huge social calendar and you'll be invited to partake and contribute along the way. You'll also be able to use the club's facilities such as paddle boards and skis whenever you're down at the beach. A couple of the clubs also have well-equipped gyms which are very cheap to join (less than $200/year membership).

Join our lifesaver blog
Regardless of which club you join - we would love you to also become a member of our blog's database of gay and lesbian lifesavers. We'll keep you informed of all the social activities and news about 2008's Mardi Gras float. To join, send your name, email, club you're proposing to join and phone number to lifesaver2007@gmail.com

Which club to join?

North Bondi, Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte all have excellent reputations for lifesaving in Australia. They all differ in size with North Bondi being one of the largest in Australia with 400 active patrolling member right down to Tamarama which has a dedicated band of active members numbering 90.

We recommend you join the club where you know someone who is already a member or the beach where you enjoy hanging out the most. Also consider how you will get to the beach as public transport is also another factor to consider if you don’t own a car.

North Bondi (www.northbondisurfclub.com)
Our first Bronze induction is on Saturday 22nd September at 2pm upstairs at North Bondi clubhouse. This is when you fill in some forms, learn a bit about the course and then do your 8 laps of the Icebergs Pool. Official training however will not start until the week after the long weekend. Further details education@northbondisurfclub.com

Bondi (www.bondisurfclub.com)

Next Bronze induction at 10am 30th September 2007 at Bondi Clubhouse. Details - contact Jim Kornmehl chiefinstructor@bondisurfclub.com

Tamarama (www.tamaramaslsc.com)

Our next Bronze squad is Oct 13, 10am @ Bondi Icebergs pool. Details Michael Alvise Tamarama Chief Instructor training@tamaramaslsc.com

Bronte (www.brontesurfclub.com.au)

We start Sunday 7 October. For full details contact Callum Metcalfe - Bronte Chief Instructor at bronte.instructor@gmail.com

The 2007 Mardi Gras "Sexiest Entry" Award

Last night we attended the Mardi Gras awards night at Arq nightclub where our float was presented with the award for "Sexiest Entry" in the 2007 Mardi Gras Parade.

Here's some photos taken on the night.

Inaugural SLSA Mardi Gras DVD

Thanks to everyone who came along and joined us at Tamarama on Easter Monday night for the screening of the Mardi Gras DVD. We had a great night catching up with each other and enjoyed re-living some of the great moments we had in the lead up to and during the parade.

To those who couldn’t make it but would still like a copy of the DVD you can still do so. We asked for a voluntary contribution of $5 on the night to cover the costs of producing the DVD. We can mail one to participants for $7.50 (and $5 for subsequent copies). Cost to non-participants is $10 per DVD plus $2.50 postage. If you’d like a DVD mailed to you, just email lifesaver2007@gmail.com.

Later today (16/4/07) we'll upload a sample of the DVD to YouTube.

There was some discussion that many people were away over Easter and were unable to attend the viewing at Tamarama. If there is sufficient interest from people we would love to get together and show the DVD again at North Bondi in a couple of week’s time. If you would be interested, send us an email at lifesaver2007@gmail.com

Every picture ever taken! There's 605 in total!

Some people have found it difficult viewing the images when they've gone to the other site. Other people have requested to see all the images taken in one post. This is why we're re-posting them at http://www.flickr.com/

Follow the links to go to each set. You're more than welcome to save to your computer the ones you appear in. To save the large version of the pic you want - click on the image and at the top you will see a button that says 'all sizes'. Click that and follow the prompts.

Rehearsal #1

Rehearsal #2

Media Rehearsal

Mardi Gras Fair Day

Mardi Gras Pre Parade Preparations

Mardi Gras Parade

Sneak preview - the DVD

Chadd has been hard at work editing an amazing DVD which will be premiered on Monday April 9 (Easter long weekend, start time approx 5pm) at a venue to be decided (probably Tamarama). Put this date in your diaries - this will also be our official wrap party. It will be BIG.

Thanks to Chadd for all his brazilliant work with pics and videos over the course of this project - check out his webspace.

Cover models!

Sydney Star Observer; photo of Shane Herbert by Erica Harrison.

Parade award nomination: Sexiest entry

Congratulations everyone!!

Our Surf Lifesaving float has been nominated for a parade entry award by New Mardi Gras.

The following email was received today from New Mardi Gras:

----

Congratulations to you and all the entrants in putting on a spectacular Parade.
The feed back from the community not to mention the press, locally, nationally and internationally has been extremely positive. We are very much looking forward to starting our preparations for next year's 30th anniversary.

You may be aware that New Mardi Gras will host the 2007 Parade Awards on Sunday 15 April at ARQ.

It is my pleasure to inform you that your entry "Surf Life Saving Australia, Swim Between The Flags" has been nominated in the category of:

Sexiest Entry

Further details regarding the evening will be forwarded to you over the next few weeks, and general information will be posted to the Yahoo Entrants group.

-----

Mark it in your diaries....Lets all turn up en mass in ARQ on 15th April (with all our fingers crossed!) and make a fabulous night out of our nomination!

SMH - letters to the editor. Your thoughts please

Not between rainbow flags

Sydney surf lifesavers, you are Aussie icons and young people look up to you. However, by participating in the homosexual Mardi Gras, your role model has been shattered, devalued and demeaned. How sad.

Judith Bond Glen Alpine

(taken from letters to the editor, Sydney Morning Herald 7 March 2007)

Please leave your thoughts to Judith by clicking on the comments link below.

A very Brenton Mardi Gras

If we had to single out one person who's been getting way too much exposure on this blog - that person would have to be Brenton Parry. Not only is he a devoted Bronte Lifesaver of nine seasons, Brenton is also an international blog star with 5000 people visiting his site (Aussielicious) every day. We've posted so much of Brenton because his blog site has diverted so much traffic to our blog and major international attention to our cause. Thanks Brenton! Click on the YouTube below to see Brenton in action on Saturday night.

We are currently producing a major DVD extravaganza and will have a celebration screening with drinks etc in approx two weekends - venue to be decided.

85 x Parade photos - before the march

For more photos - click here.

If we told you Saturday was a busy day, that would be an understatement! Seven of us started early with a 10am press conference where 140 media from around the world were in attendance. We were special guests (more like room decorations) for the press conference. We handed out press kits and Chuppa Chupps on arrival and stood guard around the stage during the formalities.

For many of us the rest of the day was taken up with last minute float fixing, sound generator management, beach ball fixing, spray tans, hair cuts - you name it! Once everyone met at 5pm - the nerves quickly set in.

Please remember to send all your photos to drewlambert@ozemail.com.au and these will be added to the collection for you to view and copy as you please.

Mardi Gras Messages - leave your thoughts here.

The lifesavers were a definite stand out in this year's Mardi Gras Parade. If you participated or were on the sidelines cheering - what was the one Mardi gras moment you will remeber forever. Leave your thoughts by clicking the 'comments' section below. To read all the comments, click on the date stamp below.

FROM SLSA

On behalf of SLSA I would like to thank everyone for the joyous and respectful way in which you helped celebrated our ‘pride’ in Saturday’s parade.

The reaction from spectators, friends and colleagues with regards to our float was amazing, and thanks to everyone, surf lifesaving is now perceived by many as being a modern, progressive, diverse and tolerant organisation.

Angela, thank you especially for the way in which you pulled together the routine and float and the continual respect and admiration you showed for surf lifesaving, whilst at the same time keeping that delicate balance between showmanship, cheekiness, fun and respect. I know it would have been very hard balance to achieve but you did it so well.

Our National Director of Lifesaving was there before the parade soaking it all in whilst watching our preparations. He admired the spirit and pride that was evident as we waited so excitedly for our “moment in the sun”.

Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of history last Saturday night. The surf lifesaving movement in Australia shone as we celebrated our way up Oxford Street, and in turn so did each and everyone one of us, leaving a lasting legacy for the next 100 years and beyond.

Marketing & Corporate Relations Manager

Surf Life Saving Australia

Saturday - everything you need to know

What you’ll need to do and bring:

1. Make sure you have a good sleep the night before the parade;


2. As there is limited space on the truck to store personal belongings, consider dropping a vehicle off at Fox Studios/The Entertainment Quarter car park with all the things you’ll need at the other end (e.g. your party clothes);


3. If you do need to bring belongings, please no large backpacks. We’d prefer it, for ease of storage, that you bring only what you need, put it in a plastic bag that can be tied and clearly label it with your name and phone number on it. We’ll place these in tubs to be put on the truck so that they are available at the end;


4. Please pack any medication you might require on the night, e.g. Ventolin etc.


5. On the day, make sure you have a hearty meal before coming into town, preferably a pasta meal, full of carbs to keep you going through the parade. Try and do this as the last thing you do before heading out the door;


6. Please bring water to hydrate yourself from the time we’re locked-down (6pm) and the time we start marching.


7. Please bring a small sandwich and snacks for yourselves, muesli bars, dried fruit etc. to eat before we start marching.


8. We are in E block (E10) in the parade.


9. Especially for people close to the lead truck and the sound system, you should consider bringing earplugs so that your hearing is not adversely affected;


10. Please refrain from being under the influence of alcohol and drugs until after the parade – that’s what the after party is for;


11. Remember to get tickets for the party, available through Ticketek http://www.ticketek.com.au/. If you’re not planning on going, please rethink! You will be pumped after the parade and all your newly made friends will be going along as well. It is a blast!


12. Convene between 4:45 – 5:00pm at Harmony Park - neext door to Surry Hills Police Station; between Goulburn, Brisbane and Hunt Streets Surry Hills. Or click here Harmony Park website

The media rehearsal - now with film crew!

Thanks to Channel 9 and Associated Press who dropped by to see us in action. Thanks to the council ranger for not kicking us out! And a big warm welcome to our interstate friends fromWA and Qld - we are now one complete happy family!

For more photos - click here.

Media Rehearsal - Thursday 1 March 6.15pm

[CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

Thursday night's rehearsal will be at Centennial Park for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Please meet at Grand Drive near McKay Fields at 6.15pm sharp. We will be opposite the Learners Cycleway (click on the image above for detailed map - X marks the spot). Most gates to the park close at 7:30/8pm but you will be able to exit through the Robertson Road Gates exit.

This final rehearsal will be for developing our formation and marching style in an open space. Please all participants attend, including flag bearers and beach goers. Media will be attending this rehearsal - they will be arriving at 6.45pm, so we have 30 minutes to look perfect!

Following this rehearsal we will go for celebratory drinks at the Light Brigade Hotel - 2a Oxford St Woollahra.

A final thank you to our supporters

To Surf Life Saving Australia for the support it has given its members who are marching in the Year of the Surf Lifesaver float in this year's Mardi Gras Parade.

To Westpac for being our financial saviour!

To Eyra Medical and Skin Clinic for helping us finance the 1000 inflatable beach balls.

To Gary Polivnic for your kind donation.

The final rehearsal - now with flags!

We bid a fond farewell to our home of the past four weeks, Tamarama Surf Lifesaving Club. Thanks to the club for allowing us the use of its premises. The biggest thank you however has to go to our Creative Director - Angela Kennedy. You are THE BEST. Click on the YouTube below to see her handy work in action.

[You can see more pics from the final rehearsal by clicking here.]

Lifesaver float in the news #3

Click on the above two images to read The Sun Herald's 'Lifesavers float along with Mardi Gras' by Daniel Dasey (28/01/2007).

Click on the above two images to read Queensland Pride's 'LGBT Lifesavers on prade' (Feb 2007).

Mardi Gras Fair Day

We came, we saw, we conquered!
It was our first Mardi Gras Fair Day as lifesavers and we were warmly welcomed. We scored a Bronze Medal in the Drag Relay Race (congrats to Grant, Nick, Josh and Drew); we put on a stellar lifesaving demonstration around the pool and were well and truly beaten in the tug of war by the Lesbian Soccer Team (commiserations to Anthony, Ronan, Ruairi, Josh, Drew and Mark).

[You can see all the pics from the Fair Day by clicking here.]

Heroes

“Whether you are a woman, Muslim, gay or lesbian; surf lifesaving is a great way to give back to the community and make life long friendships, while also being a fantastic way to keep fit. I urge every gay and lesbian who loves the beach to find out how they can become a lifesaver at their local surf club.”

Co-float Organiser, Ruairi O’Connor of Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club.

Lifesaver float in the news #2

Click on the above two images to read the Sydney Star Observer's 'SURF'S UP FOR MARDI GRAS' by Ian Gould (25/1/07).

Click on the above image to read about our float being featured in the Wentworth Courier (7/2/07)

Click on the above image to listen to co float organiser Drew Lambert be interview by Nelly McKenzie on Macquarie Regional Radio's Nelly at Night program (40 stations across Australia 12/2/07)

Click on the above image to read Adelaide gay and lesbian newspaper, Blaze, reporting on our float (2/2/07)

Click on the image above to hear float co-organiser Ruairi O'Connor talking about the inaugural Surf Lifesaver float in this years Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (9/2/07).

Song Lyrics for you all to learn and later dance to...

Holding Out For A Hero

Where have all good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life

Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There’s someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life



Up Where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I would swear that there’s someone somewhere
Watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like a fire in my blood

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life

Rehearsal # 2 - getting better!

[You can see more pics from the second rehearsal by clicking here.]

With 50 people now registered to march and all the moves learnt, this float is certainly going to impress. Now it's time to get slick! If you click on the YouTube video below, Brenton will give you a first taste of what to expect on the night. As you can see, he hates being in front of the camera!

Sponsorship, media and registering to march inquiries

We need one more sponsor to join our other two fantastic sponsors (Westpac and Aussiebum) to help make this float a reality - can you help?

Sponsorship inquiries
Ruairi O'Connor
0400 401 519
Ruairi.O'Connor@iag.com.au

Register to participate
Email lifesaver2007@gmail.com
(include name, email address, phone number, surf club)

Media inquiries
Drew Lambert

Message from Surf Life Saving NT Gerneral Manager

Surf Lifesaving NT general manager Paul Dale has also endorsed lifesavers marching in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade this year.

"We are a non-denominal organisation and we are involved in all community events," Mr Dale said. "The Mardi Gras is a huge tourism event and if any of our individual members were interested in going down and joining in, they can." Mr Dale continued by saying the Territory surf lifesavers had "historical links" to the Sydney clubs. "The North Bondi and Bondi clubs actually assisted us in the 1960s by lending us equipment," he said.

Northern Territory News - 29/01/07