British lifesaver holidays here

Great Britain's Surf Life Saving vice president Mr Tim Higham has spent the last two months holidaying in Umina.

Mr Higham was the Club president of Bude Surf Life Saving Club in North Cornwall in 1990.

Umina Surf Life Saving Club member Mr Gary Matthews joined this local club 22 years ago and competed with Bude, making lifetime friends.

Mr Matthews, a local carpenter, took Mr Higham to meet Campbell Home Hardware store manager Mr Noel Annand.

"Tim and Noel had something in common," said Mr Matthews.

"Both were national champions in their chosen event.

"Back in their day, the pillow fight was a highly entertaining and well contested event.

"Two competitors sit high upon a horizontal pole and smack each other in the head with a heavy pillow sack until one hits the other to the sand.

"Due to many injuries the event was deleted in 1978," said Mr Matthews.

Mr Higham was Great Britain Champion in 1968 and Noel was the Australian champion in 1974 and 1976.

"Many good yarns were told that morning," said Mr Matthews.

Mr Higham has since returned to the United Kingdom and said his trip was a memorable one.

Email, 18 Dec 2012

Gary Matthews, Umina Surf Life Saving Club