New boat for competition
Umina Surf Life Saving Club has a new competition boat and it is already seeing the results.
"The new craft has already paid dividends and made our crews much more competitive with finals performances from all three crews in the first couple of rounds of the Peter's Series Surf Boat competition," according to surfboat manager Mr Ian Backhouse.
"The Under-19s women's crew took out first place in the Peter's Series final at Terrigal while the Under-23s division finished in fourth place at Stockton recently.
"This is a sensational performance given that we have a new crew this year and one rower Olivia Brown has never rowed before."
Mr Backhouse said the purchase was made possible mostly through sponsorship by NRMA's Ocean Beach Holiday Park,.
"The club works closely with Ocean Beach Holiday Park on a couple of other levels," said club secretary Ms Christine Lavers.
"We patrol the southern end of Ocean Beach looking after the public and the patrons of the holiday park.
"Bob Powell, our chief instructor, also runs surf awareness and safety courses for parents and children at the holiday park during the school holidays.
"At times we provide lifeguard supervision of their swimming pool as well."
Park manager Ms Vanessa Fordyce said the holiday park was building a strong relationship with the surf club.
"We have used the facilities of the surf club for our staff Christmas parties," Ms Fordyce said.
"We also recommend the club rooms for conferences and group meetings.
"We are very proud of our commitment to the community through our ongoing involvement with the surf club.
"Overall the relationship between Umina surf club and Ocean Beach Holiday Park has many benefits for both parties and we hope it will continue to provide the club members, public and our patrons with many and varied opportunities into the future."
Meanwhile, the Umina club recently finished first overall in the Masters Carnival in Killcare while the junior division of the club finished second overall in competition at Wamberal Beach.
Press release, 1 Dec 2009
Christine Lavers, Umina Surf Life Saving Club