Cruises on offer for lifesavers on extra patrols at The Entrance; North Entrance
Red and yellow army members already volunteering at their own clubs are completing extra patrols to plug gaps at The Entrance and North Entrance.
Central Coast
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Surf Life Saving Central Coast is offering two, four-day P&O cruises as incentive for red and yellow army members across the coast to take on additional patrols at The Entrance and North Entrance this holiday season.
With The Entrance Surf Life Saving Club having less than 25 active patrolling members, help has come from Terrigal, Shelly Beach and Toowoon Bay clubs, as well as from a host of individual surf lifesavers.
The assistance has been ongoing but was particularly vital during the busy Christmas and New Year period, including on one occasion where 19 swimmers were rescued in a day.
“The average patrol hours (for The Entrance club members) would be well over 100 hours and I spoke to one of the patrol members who is nudging over 150 hours already,” Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Narelle Duggan said.
“One of the things that differentiates that club is the channel; there are people set up at the channel and extra sets of eyes at the beach.”
The two winners of P&O cruises will be announced at the end of the patrolling season, with an entry earned for every extra patrol completed.
“Everyone is time poor, so it’s a bit of a reward for these guys and P&O have come on board and donated the prizes,” Mrs Duggan said.
While the busiest weekends are behind them this summer, there is still plenty of work to do.
“They’re through the worst of it but there will be another influx come Australia Day,” Mrs Duggan said.
The Entrance club president Greg Newton was grateful for the support of those who have taken on additional patrols already and also thanked branch staff.
“They’re working with us to give our existing members a break while we are looking to rebuild and grow,” he said.
In addition to extra bodies to bolster their patrols for the rest of the season, both clubs are seeking additional members long-term for patrolling and non-patrolling roles.
Details: slscc.com.au