Patrollers don pink zinc to celebrate women in life saving

IT WAS another successful Pink Zinc Patrol at Ocean Grove.

The patrol is all about empowering women to be involved in surf life saving and leadership roles within those clubs.

The Pink Zinc Patrol, now in its sixth year, is a product of the Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club. The two clubs came together to celebrate and encourage the female presence in the life saving community.

Point Lonsdale SLSC’s Jess Robinson organised the event, along with Bec Sampson, and said it was a great day which saw plenty of women in attendance, both new to the life saving community and experienced campaigners, as well as some clubman throwing their support behind the day.

“We had a lot of great people come along, a lot of females who had just finished their bronze (certificate) and all the way to patrol captains,”
Ms Robinson said.

Ocean Grove SLSC’s Keely Peatling, who was patrol captain on the day, has been involved in surf life saving for five years and was stoked to be a part of the event.

Ms Peatling said it was a great way to celebrate women in life saving and the Pink Patrols were now becoming more and more popular around the region.

“It’s got a lot more recognition over the years … it’s really nice that other clubs in the region are getting involved,” Ms Peatling said.

“People are always curious about what we’re doing when we’ve got all the pink on … so it’s a good way to tell people about it.”

Due to COVID-19, the event looked a little different, so a more official and statewide event will take place on February 13.

More information will be posted on the respective clubs’ Facebook pages closer to the date.