How to become a lifesaver - 2008/2009 season

Welcome all. After a successful season patrolling Australia's beaches, Lifesavers with Pride culminated with a triumphant march up Oxford street to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Since then, we'v e had an unprecedented number 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 the Lifesavers with Pride blog regardless of which club you join. We'll keep you informed of all the social activities and news about 2009's Mardi Gras float. To join, send your name, email, club you're proposing to join and phone number to lifesaverswithpride@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 around 100.

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 (http://www.northbondisurfclub.com/)

First Bronze induction is on Sunday October 12 at 2pm upstairs at North Bondi clubhouse. There will be another Bronze induction approx 4 weeks later - date to be announced shortly.

At the induction you get to fill in forms, learn a bit about the course and then do your 8 laps of the Icebergs Pool. Official training begins the following week. Register your interest before turning up on the day to education@northbondisurfclub.com

Bondi (http://www.bondisurfclub.com)/)
Bronze inductions

• 10.00am Saturday 27th September 2008


• 10.00am Sunday 23rd November 2008


• 10.00am Sunday 1st February 2009

at Bondi Clubhouse. To register for the next Bronze course or if you would like some more information, please contact our Vice President Welcoming, Adam Nezval, welcoming@bondisurfclub.com

Tamarama (http://www.tamaramaslsc.org/)
COURSE 1: 12pm Sat 20th Sept 08 @ Bondi Icebergs pool (timed swim) - Exam A: 18.11.08/ Exam B: 29.11.08
COURSE 2: 12pm Sat 4th Oct 08 @ Bondi Icebergs pool (timed swim) - Exam A: 2.12.08/ Exam B: 13.12.08
COURSE 3: 12pm Sat 10th Jan 09 @ Bondi Icebergs pool (timed swim) - Exam A: 10.3.09/ Exam B: 21.3.09
DURATION: 10 weeks, with a training commitment of 6+ hours per week required.
TRAINING DAYS: Tue or Wed 6.30pm-9pm ( theory class) and Saturdays 8am-12pm or 12pm-4pm (water skills )

For further info: training@tamaramaslsc.com

Bronte (http://www.brontesurfclub.com.au/)
Bronze course details yet to be posted on website - for further details contact Geri Ford on bronteadmin@sydney.net

Lifesaving party to start the new season!

It's the start of the patrolling season so get ready to hit the beach, don your red and yellow cap and do your DRABCD.

Proceeds from this night will go towards the 2009 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras float entry.

This event is open to EVERONE - especially if you're interested in joining the surf lifesaving movement. Or indeed, if you just love hitting the beach on the weekend.

Patrol Captain Joyce mange and her rescue boys will take to the stage, ensuring everyone swims between the fags.DJs - Kitty Glitter and MerrileeAussielicious Brenton Parry of Bronte SLSC will perform aerials above the dancefloor.

SLIDE - 41 Oxford St Darlinghust

Friday 3rd October 2008

So mark that date down in your diaries, tell all your friends and get ready for a really fun night!! Funds raised from the event will go towards the 2009 Mardi Gras parade entry and also towards directly assisting gay and lesbian surf lifesavers in Australia. You're probably asking what does that last part mean – and that is something that we also need your help in deciding. At present, we have ideas such as sponsoring a gay or lesbian lifesaver to go to a championship competition, or assisting new members in paying their Bronze Medallion course, but we are looking for ideas about how you want your organisation to be run.

OUR VISION
Our organisation isn't just about getting together each year to do a Mardi Gras entry. It's about having a strong voice for gays and lesbians in the surf life saving movement, and helping to promote that awareness to others in the community. The Committee has decided to move towards this even more by resolving that we would actively support gays and lesbians in surf lifesaving to grow within the organisation. Further, we thought that we should get together before the start of summer to reignite our fires and to kick off the 2008/2009 season with a bang!!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
An event like this can only happen with the support of a wide range of people. For that reason, we are asking any interested lifesavers who would like to assist the Committee in preparing for the event to contact Josh Keech at josh.keech@lgsa.org.au. There's a whole range of different jobs that we need help with, and it's only with the help of the members of the Committee can we achieve a successful night!

NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED
We are also looking for interested lifesavers to join the Committee to help organise next year's float. Being a part of the Committee is a great way to meet loads of new people, be a part of something that is really worthwhile and have an inside voice in how next year's parade works. If you would like to know more about what is involved in being on the Committee or would like to express your interest, please get in contact with us!

We will keep you updated as the event progresses, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
The Committee

Lifesavers with Pride - CBS News America (Logo channel)

Lifesavers with Pride have just been profiled by CBS News America on the Logo Channel 10 June 2008). I big thank you to Itay Hod and all the lifesavers involved.

Wrap Party/DVD showing

Hi All,

this is now confirmed - 6.30pm, Thursday 13th March at North Bondi Surf Club. The bar will be open. Bring all your friends.

Mardi Gras Parade - a teaser of our DVD

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.

LET'S MARCH - WE WANT YOU AS A NEW RECRUIT!

It's that time of the year again. On March 1st 2008 we head off down Oxford Street for 30th Anniversary Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Surf Life Saving Australia, the governing body of Australian lifesavers, once again officially supports its member who will march in the parade.

First things First. We've changed our name. The group is now officially called, 'Lifesavers with Pride'. I hope you like it because there were a lot of tears shed and tempers frayed to arrive at this final name. The old blog is no more - we now ask you to visit our new blog for all the latest information.

Will you march in 2008? You must re-register

For a taste of what to expect, watch below.

You need to either have obtained or be training for your bronze medallion to be in the parade this year. If you are a new gay or lesbian lifesaver in the past 12 months, we especially want you to march. So, round up all your lifesaver friends and register as soon as possible so we have an idea of numbers etc.

Send the following details to lifesaverswithpride@gmail.com

· Name
· Club
· Preferred email for us to contact you on
· Mobile phone number
· Swimwear size
· Other comments

Rehearsals
There will definitely be four rehearsals that everyone will be expected to make., mark these dates in your diary now
1 - Thursday 7th February, 7.15pm (for 7.30pm sharp start - 9pm)
2 - Thursday 14th February, 7.15pm (for 7.30pm sharp start - 9pm)
3 - Thursday 21st February, 7.15pm (for 7.30pm sharp start - 9pm)
4 - Thursday 28th February, 6.30pm (for 6.45pm sharp start - 9pm MEDIA REHEARSAL)

There could be a need for a fifth rehearsal in the last week - but we will play this by ear.

Rehearsals will be held at North Bondi Surf Club, Campbell Pde (Cnr of Ramsgate Ave)