All donations received by SLSA go towards equipment used to save lives and training the 40,000 volunteer patrollers - so they can save more lives. This is not about researching a cure - give us trained volunteer surf life savers and equipment and we will save lives this weekend. "No one needs us, until they need us". I see this first hand. One day a month I patrol Bronte Beach with the mighty Patrol 10. After decades of living by the beach and saying I will help out and patrol when my life gets less busy I finally did my Bronze last year, age 53 - busy work - www.bluezinc.com.au, 4 kids at school and weekend sport, renovating home, studying - perfect time. My first patrol was a Sunday morning - within the first 30 minutes 'a walk up spinal!' walked straight to me dazed. The poor girl had been dumped by a wave and cracked her neck. It's critical to manage the next 3 mins. I supported her neck and spine and got her to the sand. Within seconds the spinal board was on its way and the ambulance called. Bronte Surf Club is one of the busiest rescue beaches in Australia. Every weekend there are multiple rescues. The official patrol finishes at 6pm however most of our water rescues are between 7-8pm. The Coolongatta Gold is a 1984 classic Australian movie that became an iconic surf endurance race - check out the young Colin Freils. The actual Coolongatta Gold Race is one of the most challenging endurance races in surf sports. What began as the central theme for a motion picture 40 years ago, has now commanded a place on Australia’s annual sports calendar. To get you to fork out your cash I intend to provide you with a good laugh. From beginner Bronze Medallion to Coolongatta Gold in a year will be daunting, painful and maybe a bit of fun. If I can spotlight SLSA in the process all the better. The Coolongatta Gold is a 23km surf ski paddle, followed by 1km beach run, then a 3.5km ocean swim, followed by a 6.5km rescue board paddle and finally an 8km run. For me this will take the better part of 6 hrs :-0