Surf sport events are beginning to light up beaches across the state heading into summer, from Surf Boats in Yamba to club competitions on the Far South Coast, but there’s one event that continues to stand the test of time and is, in fact, thriving ahead of a new season.
The ninth Wanda Tradies One Club Carnival hosted over 1,250 competitors from 35 clubs and apart from the water and beach events, R&R was represented and thriving with nine divisions between Under 12 Mixed 2-person teams to Open Mixed 6-person teams.
R&R (Rescue and Resuscitation) competition is one of the foundation events in our Surf Life Saving movement and was actually used as part of the Bronze Medallion qualification until the ‘80s.
We spoke to Gordon McKirdy from Wanda who was officiating the R&R competition at the event. He was thrilled at the turnout and excited about the season ahead.
“We had 16 two-person teams and a couple of five-person teams from 11-year-olds to under 17’s all from Sydney Branch and considering most clubs have only recently started their junior activities it was a great way to kick off the season with new faces,” he said.
On the day, 2024 Under 19 and Open Australian Champions from Wanda and North Cronulla visited to inspire the competitors and lend some tips.
A special shoutout to the U12 Mixed 2-Person teams; North Cronulla Unicorns (Alannah and Hayley Turner) and Wanda Team A (Charlotte Brown and Gracie Towle) on an amazing display and outstanding effort. (View all results from the event via LiveHeats.)
“The best part of R&R competition is the teamwork and community,” said Gordon, who spoke about the lifelong friendships that are made.
“Everyone encourages each other to return each season. Parents become coaches and officials. I’ve personally witnessed R&R teams carry clubs through decades of service when many other individual competitors will come and go,” he said.
For Gordon, his first competition was when he was just six years old, “I just turned 56 today,” he said. (Happy birthday Gordon!)
“I came sixth in the cadet (U15) Surf Race at my first Aussies at Clifton Beach in Tasmania in 1983 (see photo – Gordon second from left) then at my last competition 10 years ago I won a gold medal in the Open 6-Person event.”
He now proudly coaches the Open teams at Wanda; the Open 6-person and Open Female 5-person teams both won Gold at the Australian Championships this year. He has only missed competing, coaching or officiating at one Aussies in 42 years!
So, what goes into a good R&R team, what kinds of people can you get together to form a team?
Gordon believes it’s for anyone.
“You don’t need to be the best swimmer (U12-15 competitors don’t swim in competition), paddler or runner to succeed, although it helps to have a strong swimmer in your team. What comes with this sport is excellent rescue and resuscitation skills and strong patrolling members,” he said.
If you haven’t watched R&R in action, the actual competition is based on the simulated rescue and resuscitation of a patient from the surf using traditional techniques, and even some items that are no longer seen on our modern-day patrols like the belt and reel.
It combines swimming with resuscitation skills, marching and a drill with teams. It’s judged against set criteria and competitors are assessed and marked on their performance throughout the whole competition period.
What’s ahead for R&R this season? Gordon said there’s so many opportunities to get involved.
“In the Sydney area, Sydney Northern Beaches is looking to hold a junior R&R and March Past event at Queenscliff this weekend (2-3 Nov) and Long Reef on 10 November. The next R&R and March Past carnival for all ages will be at Maroubra on 8 December,” he said.
If you are interested in getting involved in R&R and your club is not yet competing, jump into the R&R Australia Facebook group where you can find someone local to help get you started.
Wednesday 30th October 2024