The Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club will be better equipped to patrol its beaches this coming season thanks to a vital donation from Personnel Employed at Alcoa Charity Help (PEACH).
The community organisation dipped into its coffers and reached out with a grant worth over $12,000 for the club, enough for 11 brand new rescue boards that will assist as they expand their patrol area.
Club president John Hodges said the donation was vital ahead of the new season, with their old rescue boards too worn down for use.
“It’s going to make such a massive difference,” he said.
“The old boards have been around for years and are so worn out that they’re really not fit to perform rescues at all any more.
“The design of these new ones means we’ll be able to get in the water quicker, deal with swell easier, and get to people faster.
“It’s going to go a long way and we can’t thank PEACH enough.”
Last season the club’s life savers tallied 2660 man hours performing 20 rescues, 12 first aids, 247 preventative actions and 135 identified rips.
They are set to take on an even larger workload this summer, as they continue to patrol larger areas of the Peel region’s coastline.
The club’s resolve in the lead-up to this coming season was to have a broader presence in the area, which led to surveillance patrols being conducted on non-rostered days and extended from the Melros area through to Falcon Bay.
Port Bouvard SLSC will use the new rescue boards along with their existing inflatable rescue boats and jet skis over the season.
The club boasts several patrol teams, and places a large focus on developing the future crop of surf life savers through it’s junior pathways.
Each team is led by an experienced patrol captain, supported by a vice captain in training.
A number of vice captains have already completed their silver medallion beach management qualifications, allowing them to progress as captains this coming season.
The club’s nippers program will also spring into action over the summer.
“We place a big emphasis on making sure we can develop the next generation of life savers,” Hodges said.
“For them to be able to train under some really experienced coaches means we’ll have quality life savers in the future.”
The club will hold its sign up and information day at it’s headquarters at Pyramids Beach this Sunday, 10am to 2pm.
For more information call the club on 9582 2787.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
