Australian Lifeguard magazine - Surf Life Saving Australia

to sea, you don't need a boat!’ he said laughing again. ‘WhatI am developing here is a highly effectual low cost lifeguardservice that is focussing on bringing guys and girls into thisindustry for the long term. I have developed a training programrun by my experienced guys to develop the skills of kids whowant to work with us in the future so in four to five years timethey are ready to do a job’‘You know yourself Dog that you can't get someoneoff the street one day and have them being aneffective lifeguard the next - been a few examplesbut not many mate!As I said they can have the awards but the experience and theocean skills are a different ball game!’ said Bluey looking quiteserious. As we drove on, with Blueys comments sinking into mybrain combining with 24 hours of little sleep, I drifted off....ZZZZZZZZZZ - Bloody alarm clock. That’s one noise you canNEVER get used to. Wow that was a heavy dream - what wasit about though? Bluey, I was dreaming about bloody Bluey!Mate he was a legend that boy for sure, but I haven't seenhim for years. Why was I dreaming about him? Now Iremember, he was running a low cost lifeguard service on someisland somewhere. He had put together a plan where lifeguardsspent time learning the skills of the ocean through surfing,diving and paddling rather that driving Wetbikes and IRB’s.Bluey was focussing on getting them to develop their craftskills not their driving skills and teaching them awareness andbehaviour of people in different surfing conditions. TeachingLifeguards the ability to identify from 400 metres away ifsomeone is local or a kook from another planet looking tobecome a statistic. Lifeguards learning the ability to actuallymanage a beach full of punters in a difficult natural environmentusing a rescue board and your ocean skills.Proactive not reactive Lifeguarding, what a greatidea, wonder if it will ever catch on!What do you think? Have your say on the lifeguard networkdiscussion forum at www.lifeguardnetwork.com.aulifeguard networkJoin the lifeguard network online for free atwww.lifeguardnetwork.com.au to view up-to-the minutenews, events, jobs and more.lake macquarie looking tosquare up lifeguard challengeThey do the same job, but Newcastle City Council andLake Macquarie City Council lifeguards have drawn aline in the sand as the battle it out in the second year ofthe successful Lifeguard Challenge.Newcastle City Council Lifeguards were the winners of the2010 inaugural Challenge which resulted in Lake MacquarieCity Council flying the Newcastle City Council flag for the dayfrom their Council Chamber. Newcastle City Council’s LifeguardTeam Leader Darren Toomey says “The challenge is a fantasticopportunity for the community to see our lifeguards showcasetheir skills, promote the service and use the competition as awarm up to the Bondi Challenge.This challenge highlights the fitness required of CouncilLifeguards who are looking after the swimming community atall our city Beaches throughout the year”. Lake Macquarie CityCouncil’s Paul Stone says “It is a great opportunity for the publicto come out and see the professional lifeguards demonstratetheir skills and hopefully witness a Lake Macquarie CouncilLifeguard victory. It's in the nature of professional lifeguards totry and be the best at what they do," he said.The teams will face off at Merewether Beach from 5.45pm inboard rescue, swimming and running events on Thursday17 March 2011.Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 25