Lifesavers - Wentworth Courier front page

There's nothing like a front page story to get everyone in the Mardi Gras mood. Read the full story by following the link to the Wentworth Courier.

DNA photoshoot - a sneak preview

Argh - it has been raining constantly in Sydney, so the prospect of an early morning photo shoot with iconic Aussie magazine DNA was always going to cause a sleepless night. At 4am on Wednesday 27 February a massive lightning and thunder storm erupted over Sydney. We were shooting in less than two hours - surely we would have to cancel. The gods however were smiling, because when we finally assembled, a patch of blue sky emerged triumphantly over Bronte Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Below you can see a sneak preview of the photo shoot that will feature the lifesavers in a special edition of DNA dedicated to all things Australian.

A big special thanks to photographer Thomas Knights for wielding his magic (http://www.thomasknights.co.uk/). The final pics will be so much better than what you see below (taken by Drew Lambert - not a professional photographer!).

Our models: Nick Ferguson, Callum Metcalfe, Josh Keech, Shane Herbert, Rob Magee and Niall Murtagh.

For more shots visit here.

Final Routine !

Here is the routine from last Thursday's rehearsal (21st Feb).

This is it! No more changes. Please use it. Enjoy.

Mardi Gras float theme revealed?

Mucking around before Rehearsal #3

It seems media interest is starting to pick up. Before the rehearsal on Thursday 21 February, The Wentworth Courier sent a photographer over to capture some shots for an upcoming feature.
To see the full set of photos we took at the shoot, click here.

Lifesavers win GOLD

pic credit: The Glebe newspaper

On Sunday 17th February the lifesavers attacked Mardi Gras Fair Day - and we came out on top! We won GOLD in the lilo race against the rugby team, hockey team and the swimming team. Not too shabby - we put the win down to the fact we weren't racing against any lesbians.

Because when we later tried our luck at the tug of war, we sadly came dead last. The Dykes on Bikes were far too good on the day. Good on you girls!

Rehearsals - 14 February

Learn these steps... (week 2)

Alrighty - this is the routine, all of it. Well, for this week that is. This is the bare bones, which will be tricked up with a few extra surprises next rehearsal. Learn this for next week, and you'll be laughing.

Learn these steps... (week 1)

This movie is so good, it's gone direct to video!! Only kidding. Watch this if you're unsure of any of the moves you learnt last week or if you couldn't attend the first rehearsal. It's rivetting stuff.

And if you're not participating in the float and you're watching this video and wondering, 'what the...' - understand this is warts and all footage essential for learning the choreography.

Rehearsals - 7 February

Lifesavers - why we're your best friend...

Rehearsal debrief: Angela speaks...

It was so fantastic to see so many new people wanting to join this float. Last year we started with the easy stuff and this year we started with the 'Tricky Stuff '. We had a short amount of time to learn it and you did brilliantly.

Part of the routine will be up on youtube soon (with some changes ) so you can rehearse at your leisure and therefore feel more prepared when you arrive on Thurs 14th (yes, Valentine's Day).

The complete routine will eventually go up after this. Plenty of time to make you feel comfortable.

It is imperative that you make the next 2 rehearsals, the 14th (romantic dinners at 9.15?) and the 21st when we bring it all together because that is all we've got before we rehearse the complete routine on the beach (28th) before 'Showtime' On the 1st.

It will all make sense next week. Don't forget your sneakers! We are going to have a ball.

Angela x x

Registration and support crew update

from left, Lisa Benjamin, Niall Murtagh, Oyvind Andreassen, Nick Ferguson, Nick Maconachie, Craig Glazier and Michael Webster. Photo: Helen Nezdropa

Hi to everyone who has read the Sun Herald article today regarding our Mardi Gras parade float. We have many participant positions available on our float. The positions marked with '*' require you to be a proficient lifesaver or currently undergoing your Bronze Medallion. We welcome all lifesavers from any club in Australia. If you can help out with any of the other areas, we'd love to have you along for the ride.

• Lifesavers who will learn a choreographed routine * (rehearsals start 7.30pm, Thursday 7th February at North Bondi Surf Club)
  
• Lifesavers who will march and be support crew (give out water, carry towels, wave to the crowd, media helpers etc)*
  
• Drivers, do you have a truck license?
  
• Builder with scaffolding experience (to help set up the trucks on parade day)
  
• Small warehouse space to use on the Friday/Saturday before the parade (February 29/March 1). This is where we will set up the trucks, sound and lighting etc.
  
• Machinist - to make hand held red and yellow flags
  
• Sponsorship, see the following link
  

If you can help out - please email the following details to lifesaverswithpride@gmail.com

• Name
  
• Club
  
• Preferred email for us to contact you on
  
• Mobile phone number
  
• Swimwear size
  
• What part of the float you would like to be involved in

Sponsors - we love you guys!

Lifesavers with Pride would like to thank its official sponsor Westpac bank. The costs of putting on a Mardi Gras float are extraordinary – we’re glad to have you on board!

Over the past 12 months there has seen a massive increase in gays and lesbians becoming lifesavers. Our 2008 float entry will double in size and as a result we’re calling for one more sponsor to help out with a cash donation. We’re also looking for a water sponsor to quench the thirsts of 150 lifesavers and support team.

If you would like to sponsor the float that won the ‘sexiest entry’ at the 2007 Mardi Gras Awards, please contact Drew Lambert lifesaverswithpride@gmail.com. A full proposal will be sent to you for your consideration.