Tom Lane from Inverell is one of a number of boys from The Armidale School who are in the process of completing their Surf Life Saving bronze medallion - despite being hundreds of kilometres from the beach!
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Surf Life was introduced at The Armidale School in 1967 and the boys are currently affiliated with the Sawtell RSLS club, heading down there every TAS Activities Day which will culminate in a week-long session in November when they will gain their Surf Bronze Medallions.
Many choose to volunteer on surf patrol during the summer holidays.
Joe Pennington is guiding the boys through the course that will see them as qualified lifesavers.
“Most of the boys are boarders and don’t really understand the ocean,” he said.
“This encourages them to learn new skills and be involved in this great volunteer organisation.”
The boys travel to the coast next month before for a one-day training camp.
They will also spend an intensive week out at the club.
Sawtell SLSC’s chief instructor said it was a great way for the club to bring the beach a little closer to the bush.
“It is great for the surf club to have the opportunity to teach the boys about the surf,” he said.
“And it is a wonderful opportunity for these boys to be a part of the surf lifesaving community.”
In order to attain their bronze medallion the boys must learn rescue techn-iques, complete a fitness test and be competent in resuscitation and defibr-illation techniques.
The boys are expected to gain their qualification in November.
They will hit the beach next month before spending the winter months preparing for the theoretical comp-onent of the course.