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.