2nd FEB 2010

Two days later, 14yo Eric Nichols displayed courage and maturity beyond his age in performing a double rescue himself at the Carlton River mouth. Getting ready to go for a surf, Eric instinctively checked for hazards such as the Carlton River-mouth rip current. Lcukily for a pair of adults, Eric instantly recognised that they were swimming and paddling a fair way out and against the rip.

Bolting back up to the club house to grab his racing mal (so quickly that a certain boatie thought someone was stealing something), Eric quickly ran and paddled the 500 metres to find two exhausted swimmers grateful for his assistance.

Talking the pair through, Eric was able to put the swimmer on his board and guide the surfer parallel to the beach and then in with the waves.

Related article - http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/04/125675_tasmania-news.html

Surf lifesaving lesson of the day? It is important to understand local hazards and remain aware of your surroundings

30th-31st JAN 2010

The last weekend of January saw plenty of activity at Carlton Park with 23 swimmers and surfers rescued from the Carlton River rip. Patrol Captains Sean McCarthy and Jordan Morris worked well with their teams and ensured everyone made it home safely.

Conditions were ripe for rescues, with hot days, solid groundswells, and strong outgoing tides all colluding to make for a busy day. Local knowledge worked in the lifesavers favour as they recognised the need to put an additional outpost patrol on at the river mouth, a move that allowed for faster response to rescues.

Related article - http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/04/125675_tasmania-news.html

20th NOV 2009

With temperatures well above average on the day, Clarence City Council lifeguards training at Carlton Beach were called in to action as they watched a group of individuals that they suspected had been drinking move to enter the water. 

Adhering to the age old lifeguard rule "Better safe than sorry", the lifeguards quickly used their greatest asset and spent some time talking with the group about the dangers of mixing alcohol with aquatic recreation. Thankfully the group were talked out of the water and also from continuing on to the local jump rock.

Surf lifesaving lesson of the day? A lifesavers (lifeguards) greatest asset is their ability to manage the beach and communicate effectively with people.

7th NOV 2009

Off-duty Carlton Park SLSC lifesavers Michael Barrett, Don Marsh and Allie Britton met on saturday to do some training.

Demonstrating a good understanding of the local conditions, they quickly turned their eyes towards the Carlton rivermouth to check to see what the tidal rip current was doing. This proved to be decisive as they quickly recognised a small group of young surfers struggling against the conditions.

Using their boards and skis, the off-duty lifesavers were able to bring the tired and stressed surfers back to the beach and debrief them through what had happend and why.

Surf lifesaving lesson of the day? Understand your local coastal environment and work with the conditions, not against them