Waterford Surf Life Saving Club

A message from the Chairman of Irish Water Safety Mr Frank Nolan at the presentation of awards to the members of the Waterford Surf Lifesaving Club -

As Chairman of Irish Water safety I am very pleased and honoured to be present here to night surrounded by Lifesaving colleagues both young and old. That I received the invitation to speak from Shane the Chairman of Waterford Surf Life Saving Club was most welcome and which I had great pleasure in accepting.

Irish Water Safety has now been teaching swimming and lifesaving in this county for 60 years plus. In the 50’s and 60’s during the summer months, we instructed at the seaside throughout the whole of the county, in places such as The Pier Tramore, and the old outdoor swimming pool in Dungarvan. It has to be remembered that there was no indoor swimming pools until the early 70’s, and when they did come on line Irish Water Safety immediately hired time to instruct both swimming and lifesaving on a voluntary bases. I am pleased to be able to mention here to night and say “thanks” to Waterford Glass Social & Sports Club” for making their pool available to us when it first opened and which we have now been using for some 34 years. Since we started to teach basic swimming and lifesaving it is reckoned that we have put over a hundred thousand people through our classes and we have contributed in no small measure to reducing drowning in this county. This coupled with a very clear water safety awareness message Irish Water Safety gives throughout the length and breadth of the county has contributed to many young people being water safety wise.

We are supported in our efforts to bring the Water Safety Awareness message to the public by both Local Authorities, Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council in this task and we appreciate the fact that both have appointed Water Safety Development officers and also through the financial contributions made at national level.

Irish Water Safety like all organisations must keep moving with the times. For this purpose we are constantly evaluating our methodologies for teaching lifesaving and involving new people within our organisation. We are members of many international lifesaving and teaching organisations, but suffice to mention one to night and that is International Life Saving which has the responsibility for Life Saving Sport for which Irish Water Safety is the recognised GB. Over the years Lifesaving Competitions have been held within our organisation, albeit mostly pool oriented. Indeed one of the most prestigious trophies competed for in any sporting event in this country is the “President’s Trophy”, which is competed for in Lifesaving competition since 1950.. When Irish Water Safety joined “International Life Saving” it gave us the encouragement to expand our efforts in sport and to start competing in the Surf Life Saving disciplines at home and abroad. This transition was not an easy one and many of my fellow Examiners here present to night were deeply involved in bringing the additional discipline within lifesaving sport to fruition. We now compete fully at international level, both in the Senior and Junior European and World events in pools and surf. Many young competitors from Waterford have competed in these competitions, representing Irish Water Safety and their Country with honour. It is pleasing for me to mention here tonight that it is very much on the cards that Irish Water safety will host the Junior European Championships in 2010 on the West Coast of Ireland.

The growth of our organisation is phenomenal throughout Ireland and Irish Water Safety in Waterford is no exception. We now have an active vibrant Club “Waterford Surf Life Saving Club” which has fostered lifesaving sport as one of its main goals. Both Shane Molloy (Chairman) and Catherine Browne (Secretary) are to be complimented with the other founding Club Members for having the foresight and energy to give the youth of this county an opportunity to take up a social activity, which at the same time is a sporting one. The membership of the club has steadily grown and we have some fantastic competitors coming through and I am reliably informed that we have number of the Club Member’s on the Irish national squad. In my opinion, the opportunity given to young people, through the club, is fantastic, because it gives an opportunity to pit ones lifesaving skills against the sea - on some of the best lifesaving equipment available - to rescue persons in distress should the need arise. Lifesaving and lifesaving sport instils in the young a sense of responsibility which will stand to them for the rest of their lives that is the humanitarian goal of saving life from drowning.

I wish to assure Parents that our organisation and affiliated clubs operate a very strict code of ethics & good practice for children coupled with a volunteer policy. Be assured that “to the best of our ability” your children and young people will be taught in a caring manner bearing in mind their dignity and without bullying. It is our wish that those involved with the Club will enjoy the experience and the instruction we have to offer.

I wish to compliment the Nippers, who will receive their certificate here tonight, those members who competed in the National Championships in and are receiving medals, and those persons who will get achievement and other special awards. Congratulations to all!

Again many thanks for inviting me here and in concluding I wish to Club every success for the future and may you bring back many awards and honours to our County in lifesaving competition.

Frank Nolan
Chairman
Irish Water Safety