Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club’s Billy James throws support behind president Trevor Hendy in wake of divisive vaccine comments

A long-time member of an esteemed Coast surf club has rushed to the defence of its embattled leader, lifesaving legend Trevor Hendy. It comes as SLSQ moves to mandate Covid-19 jabs.

A SURFERS Paradise Surf Life Saving Club stalwart is backing embattled leader Trevor Hendy, whose “free-choice” Covid vaccine stance has sparked internal rumblings.

Supporters Club committee member Billy James said “we’re not about to shaft” Hendy over his controversial comments at odds with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) policy.

Billy James has backed Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club president Trevor Hendy after the surf star went public with his “free-choice” Covid-19 vaccine views. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr James added the club was “not in the habit of torpedoing presidents”.

SLSQ has mandated active lifesavers, competitors and those on patrol must get vaccinated by March 31 – which Hendy has been “actively debating”.

Mr Hendy has said he was a “free-choice” advocate and told the Bulletin the mandate “took away people’s right to choose”.

The Bulletin revealed a senior club member found Hendy’s stance “very disappointing” and said he could not separate his views “from the fact he is the president”.

Mr James said the club had hundreds of members with a range of views on the pandemic and vaccination.

Surfers Paradise Life Saving Club president Trevor Hendy. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“He’s certainly got my support and all the blokes I know. We just appreciate everybody has a different opinion – and that’s life,” Mr James said.

“I’m sticking by the president. I can tell you we’ve (Supporters Club committee) got his back.

“Members have their own opinions and certainly some are stronger than others.”

Mr James, who has been with the club about five decades, said Hendy’s views were his own and diverse opinions are commonplace in any club.

“It (Covid-19 management) splits the community too,” he said.

He said members would have been “kicked up the backside” for contentious public comments in the past, but now “they’re taught to think for themselves and respect each other’s views”.

Mr James, who is vaccinated, said he was of the belief the president had widespread support.

He was not concerned about the message being sent by Hendy – again emphasising the lifesaving legend was entitled to his personal beliefs, even if they were not by the book.

Surf Life Saving Queensland lifesavers on the Gold Coast.

Mr James was worried about potential tension in the club after the issue was aired publicly.

“I’m more concerned about the split. I’m not worried about the message,” he said.

“A lot of these younger kids would be thinking ‘s — t, which way do I jump’, you know.

“We’ve got our 100 year coming up – we’re looking forward to the next 100 years, that’s what we’re trying to do.

“This thing will blow over.”

SLSQ described Hendy’s comments as “personal” and “not reflective” of its policies.

Follow @LukeWMortimer