Far South Coast Surf Life Saving Clubs met in Tathra to undergo intense training with rescue water craft (RWC) and inflatable rescue boats (IRB) at the weekend, October 19 21.
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There were 50 volunteer surf lifesavers of clubs from Batemans Bay to Pambula who attended the weekend to improve their driving and crew skills before the start of the summer patrol season.
Surf Life Saving Far South Coast branch president Tony Rettke said Saturdays conditions were testing although allowed inexperienced drivers to gain necessary skills.
Some of the things we have gone through were; how to approach a wave and attack a wave that might be testing. On Saturday there was excellent testing surf, he said.
Mr Rettke said the rough conditions caused a number of IRBs to capsize.
Quite a number of ducks [IRBs] went over, which was pretty good training as well to give them a clean up and get them back on the water, he said.
A crew of 10 power water craft trainers from a mix of clubs between Sydney and Far North Queensland developed the ALBERT (Australian Lifesaving Boat Emergency Rescue Training) program. It was the first time the ALBERT crew hosted the program on the Far South Coast.
Different rescue scenarios with various types of patient pick ups and safety requirements was a main focus throughout the weekend.
Mr Rettke said the ALBERT crews training was very beneficial to both experienced and new drivers and looks forward to their visit again next year.
It has been a great weekend, they will return this time again next year to do a brush up on what we have learnt this weekend, he said.
Drone technology which is scheduled to be up and running during patrols at Tathra and Pambula this summer was also tested over the weekend.
After the Far South Coast was named NSW branch of the year, Mr Rettke is proudly looking into the season with confidence.
The season ahead will be a great season, I think it will be a warm season based on the winter we have been through especially with fires and dry country.
We have great numbers in the branch this season and are proud to say we are branch of the year for NSW for the past season with our growth in numbers, he said.