SLSCC would like to congratulate the following member who took part in one of the four rescues recognised with the Meritorious Award at the SLSA Awards of Excellence.
Soldiers Beach, Patrol 4
On the 28 of October 2018, Patrol 4 surf lifesavers were preparing to finish their shift when three surfers entered the water from the rock shelf at the northern end of Soldiers Beach. The beach had been closed all day due to dangerous surf conditions. Patrol Vice Captain Matt Neale observed that the youngest group member was struggling after losing his board. Advising the patrol, Matt entered the water with a rescue board, negotiated large and powerful surf, reached the 16-year old male and headed for the shore. After manoeuvring through a turbulent back wash, and almost to the shore the pair were caught by a large set which dislodged them from the board. In the meantime, the remaining surfers were helped from the water by the patrol. With the assistance of Ian McGaw, Matt swam the patient away from the rock shelf and 400m across the beach expertly using the large rip current at the northern end of the beach. Finally, Matt caught a break in the surf to swim them both to the beach. Matt and patrol members spoke to the uninjured but shaken patients to assess and observe their condition.
Max Taylor, Wamberal
At 5.30pm on the 12 March 2019, 11-year old Wamberal Club member Max Taylor, was waiting for his dad following an after-school surf when he heard cries for help. Max could see worried beach onlookers and a panicked swimmer, a tourist who had just arrived in Australia, caught in a rip current heading out to sea. Council lifeguard services had finished for the day. Assessing the situation, Max ran back to the beach and paddled out on his surfboard. The tide was low, and one metre waves were breaking on the bank, making paddling difficult. When Max reached the swimmer, they were 150 metres offshore. The swimmer grabbed onto the board, fatigued and panicking, so Max jumped off his board, allowed time for the swimmer to settle down and asked him to get onto the board on his stomach. Max pushed the board and kicked from behind. Harry Carpenter, a member of Wamberal SLSC had seen the incident on his way home and paddled out to assist Max get the swimmer back to shore. Max’s father arrived in time to see the tourist, now fully recovered, shaking Max’s hand in appreciation before leaving the beach a lot wiser for his experience.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast, June 2019
At 3.12pm on the 6 of June 2018, Duty Officer Tony Smith received a callout request for attendance at Snapper Cave, a well-known blackspot for drownings, where a 30-year old male was trapped. A one metre south easterly swell washed into the cave making it too hazardous for a rescue helicopter or Volunteer Rescue Association abseil rescue. A rally point was established at nearby Frazer Beach and support operations responded. David Smith and Paul Dowdell brought the Rescue Water Craft’s (RWCs) from Surf Life Saving Central Coast and Lakes Beach SLSC, while Michael Dean, Phil Murphy and John Dosanjh arrived to assist in the launch and retrieval. David (RWC Operator) ad Paul (RWC Swimmer) were able to negotiate 6 the break and proceeded to Snapper Cave but were unable to reach the RWC due to the swell. Paul swam into the cave, timing his entry between the waves, and ascertained that the patient was uninjured. However, the patient was hypothermic and panicked, but could swim and was willing to exit. Paul timed his entry back into the water ensuring the patient’s safe entry and assisted him onto the RWC sled. David was able to safely navigate the RWC carrying all three out of the cave – a critical phase of the rescue – and returned safely to shore where Ambulance crews gave the patients the all clear. An outstanding result in what could have been tragic circumstances.
Surf Lifesaving Central Coast, September 2019
On 15 of September 2018 a multi-agency response including police, volunteer rescue and the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter was carried out by Sean Leicester (SLSCC) and Brianna Coyte (Toowoon Bay SLSC) on a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) and Anthony Smith and Gavin Brown (The Lakes SLSC) in an IRB. They were successfully able to rescue two teenagers trapped in a cave at Snapper Point, notorious for multiple drownings. The teens had been part of a group who had been jumping from the rocks when rough sea conditions set in. The rescue agencies decided against a vertical extraction and surf lifesavers were tasked to assist. Whilst extremely challenging, Brianna was dropped off at the entrance of the cave and swam in to assist a shaken and shocked female patient assisting her to swim out safely to the RWC. Brianna then returned to the cave, rescuing the male in the same way. Both patients were transferred to the IRB and taken to Fraser Park Beach, unharmed with no injuries.