Year: 2023

A pause to reflect on the life of Louise Santos

Last night the club came together to reflect on the life of Louise Santos, our most recent life member, who passed away while on holiday in France on Tuesday.

She leaves behind her husband, Stu and her nipper son Josh – the club extends our sympathies and support to them. The family has asked that people do not send flowers, but would welcome donations to the club to set up a memorial award in Louise’s name – you can donate here https://bondisurfclub.com/get-involved/partner-with-us/donate/ and in the “In honour of” box please type “Louise Santos Fund”

She also leaves behind all of her aqua cap Nippers, her beloved board and competition sections, and the club that she made such a fundamental part of her life.

We will remember and recognise her life and service more formally when the family can return from overseas, but members were asked to think of their own special memories of Louise – her presence on the beach, her smiling face, her can-do attitude, her encouraging words and her hearty laugh.

The club will advise when a formal memorial date has been arranged.

We thank everyone who attended and those who provided messages of support to the family on Facebook. We ask that people respect the families privacy at this time of grieving.

#firstsurfclub #bondisurfclub #surflifesaving #noliveslost #vale #RIP #bondibeach #staysafe #love #beach #slsa

Louise Santos contributed in e

Louise Santos contributed in every area of the club including Administration and Nippers, but her great love was the Board section with many years as the Board Captain and always offering to help out with Bronze groups coming through.

This morning the Board section took the time for a minutes silence to mark Louise’s passing, and them formed up to catch in a few waves – something she loved doing.

Thanks to Tim Read for the photos to help remember this moment.

The memorial this evening will be in front of the clubhouse at 6pm.

#firstsurfclub #bondisurfclub #surflifesaving #noliveslost #vale #RIP #bondibeach #staysafe #love #beach #slsa

It is with heavy hearts and pr

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that we share the devastating news from France today, as we will solemnly lower our flag to half-mast tomorrow.

Club member Louise Santos has died suddenly while away on holiday with her family in France.

The entire club stands in profound shock, grappling with the void left by Louise’s passing. She recently became our newest Life member. Our deepest sympathies and support are extended to her beloved husband, Stuart, and her son, Josh, who is also an active Nipper. Our thoughts are with them as they navigate this unfathomable loss.

For those who had the privilege of attending our last Annual General Meeting, you understand the pivotal role Louise quietly played within our club for decades. Her commitment knew no bounds, and she continued to champion our cause diligently, currently serving as the Registrar and meticulously planning the upcoming season for our surf sports team.

Personally, I will deeply miss Louise’s straightforward, pragmatic approach, and her resolute “can-do” attitude that inspired us all. Her influence reverberated through countless aspects of our club, and her absence will be profoundly felt by each and every one of us. Louise’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication, and the profound impact she had on our club’s journey.

At 6pm on Wednesday 27 September, those who are able (including any of our Icebergs mates where she was also a great member), are asked to gather at the steps of our club for a few minutes to lower the flag together and light a candle. A proper memorial and related activities will be planned and communicated in time but this is just a few moments together to mark this sad news.

Let us come together as a community, united in our love for Louise and the spirit she instilled in our club. May her memory serve as a reminder of the passion, commitment, and camaraderie that define us.

With heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy.

Brent Jackson
President
Louise Santos
15.09.1969 – 25.09.2023

Louise joined Bondi SBLSC in 2003 after moving to Bondi from the northern beaches where she had grown up as a Dee Why nipper, competed at pool swim events and in other sports. She gained her Bronze Medallion at Bondi on 13 April 2003 and became Vice Captain of Bassingwaithe Patrol (2006-2008), attaining her Long Service in 2014.
She was Bondi’s first female individual Australian Titles gold medallist in 2005 in the 35-39 years Ironwoman and a member of the first female Opens Australian gold medallists in the Open 5-Person R&R in 2006. The team went on to win four consecutive Australian Titles and Louise also medalled in two other Open events and was a member of our first Masters Female Team at Aussies in 2008. She has competed in more than 40 Australian Masters and World Masters Titles events, evidence of her versatility as a competitor.
Louise continues to be a fierce competitor and team player for the Blue and White, with our current Swim Captain Nick estimating she entered more events in the 2022 season than anyone from any club in Australia.
She has competed the Coolangatta Gold Long Course – previously considered an endurance event that women could not complete – on a number of occasions and in 2018, at the age of 49, placed second in the 35-49 age group.
At Club level, Louise has been Female Club Champion four times (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2009/2010, 2012/2013), a member of Stan Mac Relay team (2004/2005) and Harry Nightingale Open Patrol Person of the Year 2006/2007. She was also the first female to complete the gruelling Gold Medallion at Bondi, in 2008/2009.
As an administrator, Louise became our first female Director of Competition (now Surf Sports) in the 2006/07 season and proved those who believed the role should be held only by a non-competitor (as had always been the case beforehand) wrong, excelling in the role. More recently, she has held the roles of Youth Captain (2016-2017), Board Captain (2013-2016 and 2017-2023) and Registrar (2022)
She was the driving force and organiser of a number of highly successful initiatives aimed at retaining our youth/cadet members including the introduction of Cadet of the Month award and cadet patrol mentorship program in 2018, cadet movie and pizza night, cadet Wet n Wild Water Park day and has spent many years coaching cadet age competition board groups (2009-2016).
In addition to her work as a professional coach for the Club, Louise has spent countless hours as a volunteer on the beach coaching cadets and new Masters athletes in board and ski skills. Similarly, she was employed in the office for a period but has assisted the Club with administration tasks on an unpaid basis over the years since, including as Registrar in 2022.
For the past five years, Louise has become increasingly involved with the junior club – as an Age Manager assistant and water events coach since 2018, Age Competition Manager 2019-2021, Nippers competition manager 2021, State Nippers Team manager and Nipper board and swim coach. She is also the senior club’s Board Captain, going above and beyond to fix competitor’s damaged boards or drive them to the Northern Beaches to be fixed.
Louise has been a consistent water safety volunteer and all-round volunteer for 20 years. She was part of the organising team for the Century Ball, organises the annual Clubbie Classic barbecues, has been the liaison for the Nipper and Senior Club barbecue since 2016, has volunteered at every opportunity for fundraisers and appeals including 18 City to Surfs, the 2020 Bush Fire Appeal and every Bondi Blue Water Challenge since 2011.

The 2023/24 season is official

The 2023/24 season is officially underway, and boy, did it kick off with a bang! A huge shoutout to Meagher Patrol and PC Mark Fabik And Phil Schardt for getting the party started this morning.

Next up was the mighty Jeppesen; let me tell you, it was a start to remember! We had some fresh-faced Bronzies on their first official patrol and plenty of subs in the mix. Special thanks go out to Robyn Farmer for her proficiencies, Michael Hallam for lending a helping hand, and a round of applause for Matt Tracey, who just unlocked his silver medallion. Gino Farina, our new admin director, deserves a standing ovation for keeping us fueled with snacks.

And of course, we can’t forget Bruce Wynne, our resident roving OC (Original Character), who’s always entertaining. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be Bruce for a day?

Last but not least, I am always proud to step up and fill the shoes of our fearless leader and the VP of our mighty club Felicity Macarthur while she is on leave (I look great in heels) 🤣

To all you Jeppesen legends who’ve been here for the long haul, thanks for sticking around for yet another season of fun and adventure!
23/24 season BRING IT!!!

Hello everyone! The 2023/24

Hello everyone!

The 2023/24 season has started! Big thanks to Meagher Patrol and PC Mark Fabik for kicking us off this morning.

With summer coming, our Bondi volunteer lifesavers will be here every weekend and on public holidays until April. ☀️

Happy to see everyone back on the beach. Let’s have a fun and safe season together! 🏖️👋

#noliveslost
Waverley Council Surf Life Saving NSW Surf Life Saving Sydney

Att All Members: The 2023-2024

Att All Members:
The 2023-2024 Patrolling season is set to commence this Saturday the 23rd Sept. In preparation, we kindly ask all members without morning or afternoon patrol duties to refrain from parking in the front club spaces from 6 a.m. onwards.
These specific spots are reserved exclusively for our dedicated patrolling members who ensure the safety of all beachgoers (vigilance & Service). Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated, as it facilitates the smooth operation of our club and supports the essential work of our patrollers.
Thank you for your understanding of this request.👍👏💙🤍💙

The Countdown is on for our vo

The Countdown is on for our volunteer lifesavers to be back on Bondi Beach.
4 more sleeps!
Today they were out dusting off the yellow boards and preparing for a busy season ahead.
📸 Tim Read
Surf Life Saving Sydney Surf Life Saving Australia Surf Life Saving NSW
Waverley Council

#POWERCRAFT// IRB Skills maint

#POWERCRAFT// IRB Skills maintence and advance skills programs.
Huge weekend for our Bondi members in the powercraft space.
First up !
Congratulates goes to our Director of Lifesaving Simon Smith after 10 weeks of training has successfully passed his RWC Award today.
We now have 9 RWC operators within our club.
On Saturday Julie Pritchard and Kristy Smith were part of the Surf Life Saving Sydney RWC Women’s Development Clinic lead by Nixy Krite and Andrew McKellar
The women were trained in advanced RWC Skills from rock work to working alongside Lifesaver 21 and being winched.
An amazing experience they will not forget.
And to top off the weekend of powercraft big thanks goes to Ronny and Nixy Krite for already working through our driver and crew Proficiencies with over 30 members already proficient and ready for the season ahead over these past few weeks.
If you are interested in advancing your skills in powercraft this season please reach out to Ronny Krite IRB Education coordinator
irbtrainer@bondisurfclub.com

Another weekend of IRB Drivers

Another weekend of IRB Drivers training done and dusted for our IRB education team and the trainees.
The IRB Drivers course runs every Saturday for up to 10 weeks and they are up to week 7 😀
You will see them bright and early for those weeks to go from 5.30am, few more weeks to go on these brisk spring mornings.
This will help strengthen our patrols going into the season ahead and help keep our community safe along our beautiful coastline.
The countdown is on until flags up for our volunteers.
Thank you to Big lens Little lens for again taking photos and capturing our members getting rescue ready and having fun while doing it.
Surf Life Saving Sydney Surf Life Saving Australia Surf Life Saving NSW Community Bank Clovelly Waverley Council Surf Safety Australia

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