PATROL OBLIGATIONS
Welcome to another patrol season; this will be the 101st year that Manly LSC has patrolled Manly beach.
Your patrol rosters have been sent to you and have been posted on the website. If you have not been included on a roster, please contact Club Captain Chris Bell.
Please attend to your patrol requirements as we provide a most valuable community service. I encourage all members to contact their Patrol Captain and advise of their inability to attend a patrol. This is extremely important as the Patrol Captain and the club is relying upon you to attend to your responsibilities.
Where a patrol is missed, you immediately start to fall behind your rostered patrol hours and you will be required to make up the hours.
If you fall behind more than 10 hours of your rostered patrols (ie in excess of 2 patrols) you, must immediately perform patrol or approved water safety hours so that you are not more than 10 hours behind otherwise you may be suspended from use of the club or its facilities including boards skis and gym.
Please be very careful during the Christmas period, when a number of patrols are rostered with a short break between, that if patrols are missed you will fall behind very quickly; the best approach is to keep up to or be in front of your patrol hours obligation.
If you suffer illness, have exams or are away for a period of time, please let me, Deputy President Greg Booker or the Club Captain know as you may need leave from your patrol obligations. For example if you are completing University or school studies and cannot make patrols during October and November we need to know. The committee may grant exemptions and you will find that in most cases the Committee will be lenient where notification has been received and the Committee is of the opinion that the member will make up the missed hours.
This year some of the rostered patrols will be patrols where members will perform water safety for specific sanctioned events such as our carnivals. You will find that more than one patrol has been rostered for these events so you must sign on with your patrol and be under the direction of your Patrol Captain.
I would like to remind all members to constantly be aware of the damage caused by over exposure to the sun. Appropriate UV protection measures should be adhered to at all times whilst on patrol. Our very generous sponsor Banana Boat will, as in previous seasons, provide sun screen for all patrolling members.
The importance of remaining hydrated is also vital while working in the sun. All members are advised to bring a water bottle and means of sun protection with you to patrol. Please also make yourself aware of our OH&S policies. If you are in doubt please speak with your Patrol Captain.
All members also have the ability to up-skill by obtaining more awards through the education programs that we provide. The awards available to club members will not only help you on the beach but also further your qualifications on your resume and in the workplace. I hope that you will take full advantage of the opportunities available.
Proficiencies are required to be done each year for most awards. The Chief Instructor will arrange suitable times for members to do their proficiencies. All proficiencies must be completed by the 31 December 2011. Proficiency tests will not be done after this date. You must be proficient to be a patrolling lifesaver.
Don’t forget to compete you must be proficient and also perform 25 patrol hours, including approved water safety hours, during the calendar year 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.
Keep an eye out for the latest club news and events in the Two Blues News and the Club Captain email and check the notice boards and club website. I ask all members to regularly read this information to ensure you are kept up to date with events being planned around the club, including training, social and everything in between.
The Club and I thank you for your continued commitment to Manly Life Saving Club and the local community. You are performing a wonderful public service and we congratulate you for this. I wish you all the best for a safe season on our beaches.
Kind Regards
Daniel Mulcahy
President
20 September 2011
