WARRINGTON SURF LIFESAVING CLUB

By Pete Russell

The season finished with the Junior prize-giving followed by the
lifeguard BBQ on March 14. Many thanks to the Junior coaches, Mark
Familton, Cherie Oldham and Polly Clyne for their work throughout the
year. We also would like to acknowledge and thank the parents for
their commitment and support. Well done to all the Juniors who
competed over the summer. Warrington has moved up the ladder to become
the second top club in the region. Congratulations to Matt Kelly and
Allie Adams who were first overall in Otago in their respective age
groups. The main prize-giving awards were:
Club medals: Abby Clayton, Ruby Randell, Gracie Lamphie and Tait Familton
Top Male Competitor: Matt Kelly
Top Female Competitor: Allie Adams
Oldham Family Swimming Trophy: Taigh Kelly
Junior Surf Award: The Kelly Family
Most Valuable Contribution to Club: Charlotte Ibbotson
Special mention and thanks also to Polly Higham, our treasurer, who
was presented with a tree for her efforts in keeping us financially
sound. Polly has been treasurer for the last five years and has
provided the club with much needed stability through a time of change
and growth.
The lifeguards finished the season with a kangaroo court and BBQ. The
club captain reports that Warrington voluntary guards completed 1190
hours of lifeguarding, undertaking 469 preventative actions involving
375 people. We have the third highest patrolling hours' tally in
Otago.
WSLSC guards have had:
• 10 members complete VHF qualifications
• 18 attempt the BALG programme
• 12 complete workplace first aid
• 10 pass Intermediate Guard
• 8 attend the IRB motor workshop
• 4 pass PHEC
• 5 gain jobs as paid regional guards and 4 work on Beach Education
• 2 gain their crewman's award
• 10 selected and competed for the Otago rep team
• 6 contribute as Event Guard team members
Highlights this season include:
• Our profile on What Now on Sunday mornings
• Several articles in the ODT and community newspapers
• A visiting pod of Orcas
• 5 local competitions held at our beach as well as two South Island
competitions
• A huge upgrade of our first aid capabilities, including gear and training
• A new IRB and new bike
• New hand-held radios and upgraded base sets
• A road trip to Kaka Point in December and another road trip in
January to Oreti.
Many thanks to Charlotte Ibbotson, the club captain, and her team for
a successful season.
The club has several activities in the coming months including:
• Hosting the Otago Surf Life Saving awards over lunch on April 18.
• Presentation of life member awards to Lyn Hastie and Kaye Burns on
Sunday May 2, 3pm at the clubrooms. All past and present club members
are invited to this very important occasion.
• Strategic planning sessions May 9, June 13 and July 11, 3 – 6pm.
Come along if you wish to have input into the future direction of the
club.
• The AGM in August, date TBA.
The committee would like to thank all those involved with the club for
what has been a successful season.

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