Club’s plan for return to training

THIS time last year the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club youth and senior competition teams and boat crews were hitting the water for the start of pre-season training, but this year’s season start is unlike any other.
While on any afternoon at Torquay Surf Beach, particularly after the final school bell sounds, the waves are flush with individual paddlers of all ages, however the club is yet to resume any official training.
“The bonus with the lifesaving sport is that there is still a lot of training and skill maintenance our club members can do our their own,” director of senior competition Peter Quinlan said.
“We’ve seen some great conditions lately, and it’s great to see so many of our members out in the water, keeping up their paddle strength and endurance.
“In a way, they may be fitter than ever, when we get the green light to training as a team again.”
TSLSC is currently working on a Return-to-Train plan in conjunction with Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with the safety of members and the community as priority. Planning includes the appointment of a COVID Safety Officer, the structuring of club protocols around session participation and attendance while ensuring beach patrols can function.
The club runs a Youth Squad program for cadet lifesavers aimed at encouraging 13 to 15-year-old members to remain in the lifesaving sport and contribute to the community through volunteer beach patrols.
“Getting the youth kids back together for training and social interaction is a priority for us,” club captain Cam Mercer said.
“We understand how vulnerable this group can be, how sport can be a great connection and balance for mind-body-health, and are working with LSV to make this happen within safety guidelines.”
“As the summer beach patrol season approaches, the TSLSC hope to be able to get their teams back into group training in readiness for their volunteer service over the next few months.”
For more information, contact the club at [email protected].