Club Captain and Vice Club Captain’s Report

From the Club Captain

We would like to begin by thanking every member of the Cape Paterson SLSC for their ongoing contribution to the club environment, both on and off the beach.

We were full of excitement and enthusiasm leading into our first season with our new clubhouse; little did we know the challenges we would all face trying to navigate our way through constantly changing rules and restrictions . With this in mind, we want to personally thank our Covid coordinators, Nicole Cowley and Wendy Graham, for their ongoing support – we could not have got through this season without them .

Also a special thank you to President Dean Manns and the Committee for their support throughout the season . Despite challenging circumstances, our active members and their families continued to serve and support us and we are so grateful for their understanding and patience . Due to constantly changing social distancing and travel restrictions, we had to adapt and move out of our comfort zone to change our processes in line with health advice .

With this came the decision to move away from our normal patrol groups, and roster, to an expression of availability . This meant that each week we would look at how to cover the required qualifications while trying our best to include as many members as we could . As stressful and timing-consuming as this was, it was nice to have a phone conversation with lots of members and their families each Thursday night . When you include water safety and patrol hours, there were still many members who achieved over 100 voluntary hours: Aly Schapper, Liam Marangio, Charlie CrawfordRust, Charles Dunnachie, Sarah Prendergast, Andrew Napoleone, Kealan Hamilton-Sturdy, Terry Prendergast, Moara Smith and Caitlin Westerling . A thank you must also be extended to our Beach Operation Committee, consisting of Patrol Captains Andrew, Charlie and Kealan, as well as Vice-Captains Aly, Liam, and Chaz . Not only did they provide leadership and experience week in, week out, but they continued to adapt to the constantly changing protocols with maturity and understanding . We’re so appreciative of their hard work .

Finally, we’d like to thank our Gear Steward and First Aid Officer, Darcy and Courtney, for their hard work and keeping our gear and first aid supplies in shape . In season 2020-21, patrolling CPSLSC members volunteered for a combined total of 4369 .75 hours . The team welcomed approximately 17,103 visitors to our beach, keeping them constantly safe thanks to 2,647 preventative actions taken . When necessary, the patrols stood up and handled 16 minor first aids; six major first aids; and one rescue, all with the upmost professionalism . This season we were thrilled to have Cape Paterson’s inaugural Pink Patrol . This was an opportunity to celebrate the important role that females play in shaping the surf lifesaving movement, and of course by extension

our own club . While acknowledging their contribution, we also provide positive female role models for future generations of lifesavers . Incorporated in this activity was a fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Network Australia, raising $600 – the entire day was a great success . A big thank you to Caitlin Westerling for her organising skills, and we look forward to continuing and growing this special event each season .

Thank you all again, and rest assured we’re looking forward to being able to enjoy our new clubhouse to its fullest next year! Andrew Napoleone (Club Captain) & Charlie Crawford (Vice Club Captain)

– Andrew Napoleone (Club Captain) & Charlie Crawford (Vice Club Captain)