Beach patrol kicks off

LOCAL surf clubs are calling for more volunteers ahead of the beach patrol season starting next weekend.

Ballina Surf Club director of lifesaving Duncan Hope said the organisation was keen to welcome more members.

“Volunteering numbers are declining across all volunteer organisations and ours is no exception,” he said.

“We are starting a Bronze Medallion course at the surf club on Tuesday, October 8, but there are other ways of getting involved and giving back to your community.”

These include obtaining a first aid or radio certificate to help patrol, or becoming a UAV pilot to fly drones for spotting sharks and monitoring rips.

“Or if administration is your skill, there are always jobs for you,” Mr Hope said.

Nippers also begins on October 20, teaching children about surf awareness and conditions, with competition events – known as carnivals – to test skills in a fun environment.

“These are our junior members who will become the lifesavers of tomorrow,” Mr Hope said.

The patrol season begins at the start of the September school holidays and runs until after Anzac Day.

While volunteer lifesavers patrol on weekends and public holidays, paid lifeguards patrol Monday to Friday during the school holidays.

“Most of the lifeguards in our area are from our clubs and began life as a nipper,” Mr Hope said.

“They have to have a particular award and do additional training, but it is a great way to earn money as a young club member.”

Mr Hope said that last season the club performed 13 rescues, responded to seven first aid incidents and took 144 preventative actions, such as moving flags and advising swimmers.

Ballina Shire Council has also placed flotation devices called rescue tubes that can be used to help someone in trouble in 10 locations throughout the region, as well as some defibrillators.