An everyday scene which even the complacent Australian cannot take for granted is the surf boat crews battling their way through the wildest surf. They make an unforgettable sight on the shoreward run with the five-man crew crowded at the stern. They lift the bow as the sturdy craft slices through the breakers. Balanced precariously on the stern is the powerful 'sweep' who needs a sixth sense in timing and judgement to steer the craft to the shore. The sweep occupies a glamorous place in Australian surf life-saving history. He is skipper and navigator rolled into one. Using a 20-foot long oar and his intimate knowledge of the sea he is the man who guides the surf boat on its speedy, turbulent journey. Boatmen still talk of North Steyne's famous sweep, Harold C. 'Rastus' Evans, who became a legend in his own lifetime. Evans had spent his life among boats, and when he stepped into a North Steyne surf boat in the 1920s the club embarked on an era of invincibility which no other has been able to match. With the latest in boat design Evans went through one entire season unbeaten.

He whipped his crew into a crack combination which swept all before them. In one summer season an easterly gale heralded a carnival at Bronte, and the first surf race resulted in near tragedy. The entire field of 30 swimmers were suddenly swept hundreds of yards out to sea, and only one managed to complete the course within the time limit. Strong swimmers found themselves powerless in the grip of the current. Their only hope of rescue lay with the boat crews. Three boats headed out but found Story matter by Gerard Power and Ken Watson, via the Australian News and Information Bureau.it impossible to get through the breaking surf. Evans waited impatiently on the beach for the final member of his crew to arrive. He watched the other boats in their vain attempts to reach the floundering swimmers. He knew he would need all his skill to make it. That day he gave an exhibition of boat handling that was nothing short of fantastic. He worked his crew to the limit, throwing his boat in all directions, zig-zagging, turning and inching his way through the surf. He filled his boat with exhausted men, then made two more trips for extra loads. Largely because of the skill of 'Rastus' Evans, no lives were lost.RECENTLY a well-known Australian newspaper contributor was asked 'Which is the truest amateur sport in the world ?' After discussing at length the 'true blue' qualifications of all track and field athletics (rowing, swimming, cricket, tennis, football and golf), the decision was given in favour of the young men who form the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia.

Although Australia is widely recognised as being the home of many famous sportsmen and women it is not generally known that it was in this land of just over 10,000,000 people that the world's most spectacular organisation for the saving of lives originated.

One Sunday morning in September, 1902, Mr. William Gocher, a local newspaper proprietor, at Sydney's Manly Beach defied the law of the time, which permitted surf bathing only before sunrise and after sunset, by bathing in the surf during the prohibited hours. His action forced the issue on daylight bathing and virtually founded the zestful pastime and sport of surf bathing as it is known today.

As a result surf bathing grew rapidly in popularity, and just as rapidly its dangers became apparent. Of necessity, small groups ofexperienced and regular bathers formed themselves into life-saving bodies to assist those who could not swim and those who were not familiar with the dangers associated with surf bathing.

Eventually on 18th October, 1907, the Surf Life Saving Association was established with headquarters in Sydney, the total number of clubs being 13. Since that day, the Association has developed into an organisation known throughout the world for the many outstanding feats of bravery among its members. At the time of writing 223 clubs were operating along the coastline of Australia with a total membership of over 21,000.

Over a period of 57 years members of the Association have rescued 139,803 people from drowning in the surf. This has been achieved without any thought of reward or gain; indeed, every member from the youngest recruit to the national president has to pay a yearly subscription to help his club.

Because of the strenuous nature of the work membership of surf life saving clubs in Australia is restricted to men. However, to assist with social functions and the raising of finance ladies' auxiliaries are elected to most clubs, andtheir assistance is invaluable.

Reference to the annual report of the National Council of the Surf Life Saving Association reveals that each season (from October to March) about 5,000 people are rescued by reel, line and belt equipment— which, incidentally, is an Australian invention.

Rescues by surf life saving boats number some 200 annually.

While the reel, line and belt equipment is the more generally known method of saving lives, the rescue by boat carries with it the greatest element of risk, as this method is usually necessary when it is impossible for the beltman to make his way because of high and dangerous seas.

One of the most thrilling surf boat rescues—that by 'Rastus' Evans—has already been described. The most epic rescue by reel, line and belt took place on world-famous Bondi Beach on 6th February, 1938, when 300 people were trapped in a boiling sea through the sudden collapse of a sandbank. Within seconds a mass rescue which has never been surpassed was in progress.

Of this rescue one American observer, Dr.

Marshall W. Dyer, said: 'There are no men in the world like your life savers. This is the greatest labour of love in the world. I have never seen anything like it.' Apart from patrolling the beaches each weekend and on all holidays the clubs of the association hold regular surf carnivals with a view to Continued on page 75keeping their members in condition, maintaining interest in the voluntary work, and seeking financial assistance towards the maintenance of their clubs.

Almost every weekend during the summer months thousands of people flock to the various beaches to watch these contests of skill, courage and endurance. All carnivals are conducted under strict amateur rules. Competitors pay an entry fee for the privilege of representing their club, and only nominal trophies are awarded.

These regular carnivals culminate at the end of the season with the Australian championships, at which representatives from all States and nearly every one of the 223 clubs participate. In some instances the competitors travel up to 2,500 miles at their own expense to bring honour and prestige to their club.

The blue riband event at these carnivals is the rescue and resuscitation competition—upon which the principles of the association are based. However, perhaps the most spectacular and colourful is the grand parade and march past of the club teams. In this event each club is represented by 15 men, who march behind colourful banners to the stirring music of a pipe band.

Surf life saving today is not only confined to Australia; indeed, some of the world's greatest surfers are to be found in New Zealand and South Africa. Similar associations are operating today in Ceylon, England, Channel Islands, South Africa, New Zealand, United States of America and Hawaii.

During the Olympic year in 1956 the opportunity was taken of inviting representative teams to Australia from other countries and 70,000 people saw them participate in carnivals at Torquay Beach, Victoria. Subsequently, the International Council of Surf Life Saving was established, and has since functioned very satisfactorily. Ideas are exchanged which lead to the betterment of the movement.

In March, 1961, an International Convention on Life Saving Techniques was held in Sydney.

This convention, spearheaded by the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia, had the wholehearted support of all other humanitarian organisations as well as the medical fraternity.

PARIS MEETING At the conclusion of the International Exhibition of Pleasure Boat and Navigation in Paris in January, Admiral Amman, president of the Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (which corresponds to the R.N.L.I.), outlined the modernisation of their fleet. It now consists of 92 motor launches, 50 life-boats and 268 inflatable craft. These boats are spread over 271 stations..