Patrol Team of the Year: Patrol 5

Friday, July 3, 2020

I wish at times there was a Patrols of the year award as all of our Patrols did an exceptional job this season dealing with record numbers visiting Bronte Beach and Park. The improvement in communication and depth of skills capability across all Patrols has seen the Club working more efficiently with all agencies to ensure a higher level of public safety and education. Our Patrolling members efforts have once again earnt lots of positive compliments from the public, Council and Branch Duty Officers with regards to the way the Patrols conducted themselves especially, on the busy endless days of Summer.   Patrol 5 have yet again waged a solid campaign this year both on and off the beach. As a Club we have witnessed them punching well above their weight on Xmas day dealing with 10,000 drunken revellers in testing conditions, staying on past their rostered time and seamlessly integrating other club members as if they were part of the regular well-oiled machine.  This commitment to the code has been clearly demonstrated in their ability to deal with critical medical and rescue situations as a team with members taking the initiative lead or stepping back as required. Their strong social bond outside of Patrol results in a unique camaraderie during Patrol which positively flows on to board and surf skills training sessions which a majority of their members regularly attend. The same can be said for regularly attending race and rescue board repair sessions, happily fixing what their fellow P5 did break or bend ;-)

Whilst they are all outstanding individuals, Patrol 5 as a team continues to grow stronger each Season. This is due to a healthy level of leadership and respect with collaborative briefings which empowers Patrol 5 members to act immediately as an individual whilst quickly backing up as a team. Of course, having their Team mascot Rory promoting Team Bronte beyond the Flags @ Lords and also on the side of a Waverley Council Garbage truck has added gravitas towards taking this prestigious award out Back 2 Back. Congratulations Patrol 5, led by Tony Nolan and Geoff Golovsky.