President's Message

How quickly things have changed over the past month. With vaccination rates climbing rapidly, the NSW Government has started reducing the restrictions that have been a feature of our daily lives for what seem an eternity, and we are starting to enjoy some greater freedoms that we once took for granted.

Importantly for the Club, this means we can start planning for a full program of
activities and returning to a summer that we can all look forward to. As we move out of the lockdown restrictions, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and support whilst the Club has been closed and our activities limited. There have been no major COVID related incidents involving the Club, which is a credit to everyone doing the right thing and working within the constraints put in place by the Public Health orders.

Come early December, we should be fully back up and running and it will be really great to see all of our nippers getting out and about having fun on the beach.
Our Director of Junior Activities, Jen Norbury, and her team have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure we can get the nippers program up and running on 5 December 2021.

I would also like to acknowledge the great work of our patrollers over the first 6 weeks of the season. It has been a different start to the season this time round and everyone has shown a lot of professionalism, commitment and flexibility as we’ve settled into a patrolling routine that has been challenged by COVID-19.

Thanks again for all your support.

Roy

The Patrol Road Map Out of COVID-19

Patrols this season have taken on an unusual shape as we’ve had to adjust for COVID-19 safety measures. It’s been a challenging start to the season, with smaller patrols and tighter restrictions, but everyone has done a great job in responding to the challenge.

On top of this, we have had to help out Illawarra Branch with extra patrols, which has put a bit of pressure on the Club, but we have come through in good shape. It is therefore a great relief to be able to get ready for a return to normal patrolling from November onwards, with split rosters and no limits on patrol numbers or ages. 

The updated COVID-19 Guidelines that sets out the Road Map for the easing of restrictions can be found HERE

Not having the SRC’s on patrol for the first couple of weeks, whilst understandable in the context, was disappointing as it is a great opportunity to help develop the patrollers for the future. It’s pleasing to see them back on the beach and part of the patrol program going forward. It is important however that everyone remembers to re-register by 30 October 2021so that your membership doesn’t get de-activated.  There are also important insurance implications with registration so please ensure that you go to the SLS Members Portal and sign up for another season.

If you have any difficulties registering, please contact Nicole Air (nicoleair72@gmail.com) for assistance.

It is also very important that you do your proficiency before the end of the year.  Patrol Captains have been given the responsibility to ensure that you’re ready for this, and you will need to do the on-line modules which can be found at the SLS Members Portal.

These modules are easy to follow and are very effective in keeping you up to date with your skills. Thanks again to all our patrollers for getting the Club off to such a great start this season.

WELCOME

It's always wonderful to welcome a new bunch of recruits to the Thirroul SLSC ranks. Joining us in keeping our beach safe this year are the following:

Bridgett Lockhart
Cole Hendrigan
Anna Lewis
Christiaan Bresle
Jonathan Concory
Sienna Stuart
Zen Stuart
Caroline McLaren
Gillian Sharrartt
Travis Carter
Naomi Foxall
Peter Simons
Gillian Anderson
Racheal Anderson
Sharon Anderson

A huge welcome to you all and we look forward to meeting you on the beach!

On the Homeward Stretch

The end is in sight! The Club’s Building Project is entering into its last phase and we are on the homeward run.  As you may have seen when you have walked past the Club, quite a bit has changes over recent weeks.  The back area has been painted and the new front entrance is starting to take shape.  On the inside, the new concrete floors are being installed and electrical work will soon commence.

We have set 1 December 2021 as the opening date for the Club.  The program is tight, but with the bulk of the work done by mid-November, COVID restrictions being eased further from this date and nippers commencing on 5 December 2021, it is the right date to aim for. It’s going to be all hands on deck as we put the finishing touches on the project works, and we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you again to everyone who has been helping with all of the many volunteer task, including the painting, over the last few weeks.

With a bit more concerted effort, we will soon be able to open the Club in a manner that we can all be proud of.

If anyone would like to volunteer for a working bee to support the project, please contact the President, Roy Wakelin-King at president@thirroulsurfclub.com.au