They recently returned from the 2018 Lifesaving Exchange Program getting the chance to patrol beaches far beyond their home break, and this year’s participants are keen to not let the experience go to waste as they strive to improve their skills and knowledge.
Twenty-one year old Rohan Blake (Bermagui SLSC), and 18-year-olds Kate Blunn (Evans Head-Casino) and Lewis Warne (Cudgen Headland) travelled to Sydney where they spent three days on exchange patrolling beaches in the Eastern Suburbs, while their counterparts 19-year-olds Kyra Jenkins and Ella Falzarano (both from North Steyne), and 22-year-old Matthew Warren (Ocean Beach) travelled to the Far North Coast for their program.
SLSNSW spoke to the six young lifesavers to hear about their experiences, their hopes for the future and why young club members should apply for the program going forward.
How long have you been involved in Surf Life Saving?
Rowan Blake (subsequent references will be as RB) – 15
Kate Blunn (KB) – 6
Lewis Warne (LW) – 12
Kyra Jenkins (KJ) – 7
Ella Falzarano (EF) – 14
Matthew Warren (MW) – 8
What roles do you currently hold at your club?
RB
Patrol captain and youth activities coordinator
KB
Nippers age manager, active patrol member
LW
Club competitor, patrolling member, radio officer, IRB crewman, learner driver, holder of gold medallion
KJ
Chief training officer and vice patrol captain
EF
Nippers club captain, patrol captain
MW
Patrolling lifesaver
What attracted you to the lifesaving exchange program?
RB
The opportunity to develop my skills with other like-minded individuals in conjunction with being able to see how the bigger clubs operate under different conditions circumstances. This knowledge can then be implemented back at my club.
KB
The opportunity to experience Surf Life Saving in the city, learn new skills, and expand my network within the lifesaving community.
LW
Far North Coast beaches have small crowds and the skills I have developed over the years as well as the rescue techniques aren’t necessarily always challenged. With this exchange program, I could really hone my skills as a lifesaver and learn tips of how to patrol beaches with thousands of people daily. It was also appealing to witness some iconic Sydney beaches on what can be their busiest day of the year Australia Day.
KJ
The opportunity to experience patrol on different beaches and to see how they handle their respective challenges and also to build networks and meet other young people that are passionate about the movement.
EF
The chance to experience a different type of patrolling environment and be able to observe how it differs from the country to city clubs was a major attraction. Also the chance to do this with a group of similar aged people who obviously have similar motivation and values drew me in. I was unaware prior to this that camps like this were run so I was excited to be able to attend this one.
MW
Having the opportunity to apart of such a good experience and learning new skills.
What were your highlights of the program?
RB
Being part of the community of surf lifesavers and meeting a number of incredible individuals. To be in such a fun and positive environment and learning how operations run at some of Australia’s busiest beaches was a great experience to have, while also developing personally. The opportunity to see the Offshore Rescue Boat and the two helicopters was unreal and really gives a fantastic insight into the assets at our disposal.
KB
My highlight was patrolling Bondi on Australia Day as well as experiencing some time on Clovelly. Patrolling both beaches gave me new insights into how different patrolling other beaches is as well as highlighting the importance of communication.
LW
A highlight for me was experiencing patrol at North Bondi on Australia Day. Even though they told us it was a quiet day for them it still would have been busier than all of our local beaches combined.
It was also great to meet my fellow country surf lifesavers who share a similar mindset and a desire to learn and improve themselves.
We were really welcomed to every beach we went to with the experienced lifesavers generous with their time.
KJ
Patrolling at all the different beaches and talking to the patrolling members about their experiences on patrol and why they are involved in Surf Life Saving. Also, the advanced lifesaving skills morning and our visits to marine rescue and the Westpac helicopter base.
EF
I’m not sure I could pick one specific highlight as we did so many incredible and amazing things, however I think the highlight for me was how well our group bonding over the 4 days. It was unreal how well everyone got along and how well we all worked as a team to get things done. There was never a dull moment and we all took on everything that was thrown at it and made the most of the experience. It was a privilege to be part of such an amazing exchange with such great people.
MW
My highlights from the exchange was the day we did the "Albert" program, and seeing the drone and helicopter up close.
Did you learn new skills to take back to your home beach?
RB
Throughout the program all participants learned a series of new skills by being involved in different programs and mentored. Some of the skills that were reinforced were the importance of communicating with other members of your team effectively as well as a range of other skills specific to lifesaving. This combined with a heightened ability to assess different situations will allow for an improvement in contribution at my beach.
KB
I learned some new skills both in and out of the water. These include resource and beach management, communication skills and the different roles of support operations such jet skis and the offshore rescue boat.
LW
The rock work we did was a whole new concept for me as during my silver medallion course we weren’t able to do that (unable to work on rock platforms) due to the fact there aren’t any in our branch. I can definitely take those skills back to my club as while they might not necessarily be handy where we live but who knows what circumstances could arise where you might be called upon to use them?
KJ
Yes, particularly in the IRB but also approaches to patrolling and ways to engage members.
EF
The trip was full of new learning experiences where it be from how to run a patrol to the best of my ability, to how to resolve conflict, how to work as an effective team member or even learning where surf lifesaving can take you as an individual are all new skills and experiences I can take back to my club, but especially the young guys on my patrol.
MW
Yes I did learn new skills in the IRB which has improved my skills as an IRB driver.
What are your goals with the Surf Life Saving movement?
RB
To continue to develop my skills personally but also work with my club and others towards a common good in a professional and welcoming environment.
KB
My main goal is to help promote the importance of Surf Life Saving to not only club members but to the wider community so that hopefully we can continue to reduce the number of drownings across Australia.
LW
To continue to be heavily involved in Surf Life Saving through actively patrolling, obtain my rescue water craft qualifications when a course is run if possible, and eventually become a patrol captain. Basically I want to continue become more involved at both my surf club and branch level.
KJ
To promote retention of youth within my club and also to continue to make the movement accessible and fun for all ages whilst also fulfilling its primary role of patrolling of the beach and maintaining public safety.
EF
From here I would love to become a trainer in my club and give back to the club through running courses. In a few years I would also like to be facilitating camps like the exchange program as I think it’s a very important age group to have these programs run for. I think the exchange really opened my eyes to how many more opportunities there are within Surf Life Saving which i wasn’t aware of, so now it’s time to make the most of these opportunities and be the best lifesaver i can whilst enjoying being part of such an amazing movement.
MW
I would like to be involved with the younger members and help develop their skills.
Tuesday 13 February 2018