The happy older men patrolling the beach

Patrol 13 was keenly guarding the beach at Coolum in Queensland this morning as I took my kids for swim.

Their crew, a proud and practiced squad of lifesavers, all aged over 60 looked very active as they took their positions in the surf.  Families and Easter holiday tourists swarmed the beach but they were cool, calm and collected as they watched the people amongst the rough conditions in front of them.

I stood and watched them for a while.  All were clearly over 60 and they looked to be enjoying themselves so much, I couldn’t resist asking them about their surf lifesaving experience to share with you.

Gary Barben and David Cush, the leaders of the Patrol laughed with me, “The greatest prevention on the beach is us.   When people come down and see us old blokes here to protect them, they get scared off,” he joked with a wink.

Volunteering for Surf Lifesaving Queensland has been a way of life for David, who has been a part of the Coolum Surf Club for 50 years this year.  Similarly, Gary Barben, John Ellingen and “Benny”, other members of the crew who proudly demonstrated their camaraderie and spirit, have been with the club for many years also.  Some of the lads, still working full time, play significant roles in the club operations, working on committees, helping drive fundraising and mentoring younger club members in how things should be done.

“There is plenty of ways that people over 60 who like the beach and are looking for a community group and good cause can get involved,” said Gary.  “Surf clubs welcome people who want to volunteer and can train them to do radio in the tower, do first aid and be on beach patrol.  There is also a whole host of ways to help in club operations.”

“If people over 60 are interested, Surf Clubs are a community group that could really use your help,” said Gary.

And, it looks clear to me that they could be a place to find fellow beach-lovers, caring for a common cause with similar values too.

Getting your bronze medallion is important if you want to be actively involved in a Surf Club.  This is the level of training you need to be in the beach patrol.  Your local surf club will run proficiency for the Bronze Medallion at different times during each year making it accessible to you if you can pass the tests of fitness, stamina and first aid.

The other side of the surf club, if you are a sporty-person is the ability to get involved in the surf boat and iron man competitions they run.

Both Gary and Dave row surfboats, in fact they tell me with pride that their crew, all men over 60 are the  Queensland State Champions in Surfboats in their age-group.  Last year they were the National Champions.  They train together as a team of 4, stay fit, compete regularly and get the opportunity to travel the countryside doing something they love.  Sounds terrific to me.

If you think you might be interested in getting involved in your local surf club, give them a call and ask  how you can volunteer.  Let us know how you go.

Surf Lifesaving Australia’s website is http://www.sls.com.au.