Scarborough Wombarra Surf Life Saving Club is ready for a big safe summer with a new president.
Doug Hamill, the club's vice-president since 2020, has taken on the role of president ahead of the 2024/25 summer season.
Doug has been involved in surf life saving for more than 15 years and with the Scarborough Wombarra club – a small club known for its inclusive attitude – for four years.
“It's something that I'm really passionate about,” he said.
“The surf life saving movement as a whole for me is just a wonderful community.”
A Woonona resident for three decades, Doug moved to Scarborough in 2020 and joined his local surf club, soon becoming an active member and earning his SLSA Bronze Medallion at age 52. Doug has been patrolling alongside his oldest son, Ben, who is club captain and Doug’s patrol captain.
The club that saved itself
Scarborough Wombarra SLSC has seen a big turnaround in the past three years, going from 17 adult patrolling members to 65.
“While not the biggest SLSC, as patrol members we spend 3.5 hours every five weeks with a club of eight patrols,” Doug said.
Outgoing club president Ant Ritter led the club's revitalisation in 2020 with a publicity campaign that included a cover story in 2515 magazine. A surf club member for two decades, Ant has served a total of 15 years in the top job, and will remain an active member.
“I'd really like to congratulate Ant Ritter for the incredible amount of time, energy and leadership he has contributed to this club and the community – 15 years in total in any role is such a wonderful achievement and not only Ant but his wife, Celeste, and three sons who have all been heavily involved, making the club better and what it is today,” Doug said.
“The club's running really well at the moment.”
It's a small club of high achievers, including Rachelle Balez, winner of Patrol Captain of the Year at the 2023 Surf Life Saving Illawarra Awards of Excellence, and Peter Rafferty, who runs free swim lessons for refugees and has been praised his “stalwart and sustained support” by Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart in a Community Recognition Statement to NSW Parliament.
Club culture drives success
Doug said club culture is key to its success, with members creating an environment that makes people eager to return and contribute.
“That's through good club and committee management, but also in just small rewards, thanking people for their time away from their families and other interests,” he said.
“We want members to enjoy coming and not make it a chore, it’s a break from technology from the rush of life.
“I can't think of many better ways switching off than spending 3.5 hours under a tent on the beach on a sunny day enjoying the company of new and old friends and enjoying the surf.
“It's a huge effort outside of your own life and family to come and volunteer, but being part of a surf club and the community makes it so worthwhile.”
More families welcome
This season the club plans to increase its focus on attracting families and improving nipper participation, looking to target other communities such as those in the Sutherland Shire and across the highway at places like Wilton Public School, which has a student body of 450.
“Even if we could pick up an extra five families with their kids for the nipper program, you can then also potentially attract the parents of the kids to become involved and any help is welcome,” Doug said.
“Not only is it less hassle getting to and parking at our beach, it avoids Sydney families having to navigate Sydney traffic on hot summer Sundays.
“We would like to highlight that joining Scarborough Wombarra surf club, which holds fortnightly nipper meetings, is far less time-consuming than travelling to most Sydney clubs and beaches that have a weekly programme.
"Our numbers are smaller and kids spend more time in activities over waiting around on hot days. Our patrol members help with water safety and with a growing Bronze Medallion base we can give kids one-on-one teaching to grow confidence in the surf.
“We have a really welcoming and inclusive club.”
Opportunities for parents
The club wants to encourage parents to qualify for their Bronze Medallion, an award all surf lifesavers must receive in order to participate on a patrol.
“As a parent if you educate yourself and become a Bronze member, you're then passing that knowledge through to your kids at home, essential surf-safety skills and also life skills,” Doug said.
On September 14, Scarborough Wombarra SLSC will join Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Open Day, which offers club tours, information for all interested families and empty nesters who live local. The club will take new registrations on the day but will have a full nippers registration closer to the start of the nipper season in early November.
“It’s an introduction to SLS from people in the Surf Club about who we are, what we do and the benefits of being part of a surf club,” Doug said.
“We are in a good space at the moment but would really like at least one more patrol team this season, just to make sure we don’t burden members with commitments on the beach.”
Scarborough Wombarra SLSC will put their flags up and stage their first patrol on the September 29. Doug hopes to see all current patrol members back again in the red and yellow and looks forward to meeting new members too.
To find out more, attend the Open Day or contact Scarborough Wombarra SLSC at info@scarboroughwombarraslsc.org.