Member Development
Brendan Smart, Member Development Director Josh Smith, Chief Instructor Terry Aslanidis, Vice-Chief Instructor
This year has been a massive year for the club in regards to training and member development, we have put through one of the largest numbers of bronze medallion candidates in the clubs history, we have run numerous surf rescue certificate, basic life support, resuscitation, first aid, advanced resuscitation techniques, spinal management and inflatable rescue boats courses.
Training numbers
Advanced Resuscitation Techniques 32
Assessor Bronze Medallion 2
Basic Life Support 37
Bronze Medallion Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) 99
First Aid 39
Gold Medallion (Advanced Lifesaving) 3
IRB Crew Certificate 20
Rescue Water Craft Operator Certificate 1
Resuscitation 36
Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue 3
Silver Medallion Beach Management 10
Silver Medallion IRB Driver 6
Spinal Management 26
Surf Rescue Certificate (CPR Endorsed) 41
Training Officer 7
Total 362
Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)
SRC was led by Louise Smith and was by far one of the biggest groups the club has put through to receive their SRC award with a total of 41 candidates. Along with John McLachlan, Rachael Kirby and Phoebe Stephen, we saw a 27 per cent increase from last years course.
Bronze Medallion
Woolamai continues to provide growth and member development through its programs and courses. This year we ran an additional bronze medallion course along with the Frank Dando Sports Academy, Upwey High School, adult and club bronze camps. Thanks to Max Eldridge who is a teacher at this school, we were able to provide a 5 day bronze medallion camp to the Koo Wee Rup Secondary, which saw an additional 23 newly qualified Bronze Medallion holders.
This year the club bronze camp was run by Hannah Tzimokas and Tommy Williams. Between the two, they have 18 years of experience as a surf lifesaver and 7 as a professional lifeguard. They led a strong team of 20 highly skilled trainers which saw 30 candidates being awarded their bronze medallion. The clubs future is in very strong hands with Hannah and Tommy leading our club bronze camp.
Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Camp
This years IRB camp was held during the Easter Long Weekend and was overseen by Terry Aslanidis. This camp gave participants the skills and knowledge to safely operate and perform rescues via the Inflatable Rescue Boat (also known as the IRB). The participants, made up of 18 crew and 6 drivers, were challenged each day by the gruelling Woolamai conditions. Each day tested the crew as they battled the wind and waves from 8 in the morning to 5 at night.
This coming season will see a massive change in how training and assessment will be conducted in Life Saving Victoria and will help improve the way we conduct training and the resources we use so please keep an eye out for these in the near future.
See you on the beach!