Andrew is long service member of the North Bondi SLSC; he started his involvement in North Bondi as a Nippers Dad 16 years ago. Apart from a few Nippers forays as a kid, Andrew had no real SLS background but always surfed, swam and enjoyed the ocean. Andrew has had many roles over the past 16 years; he’s been a Nippers Age Manager, Masters Captain, Head of Surf Sports and now, Club President. When not on the beach, Andrew’s a lawyer and most importantly, a father of four.   

In this discussion, we cover:

1.    Why surf life saving at North Bondi? What inspired Andrew to join.

2.    The role at NB SLSC; what’s involved being President? 

3.    Why are there two clubs at Bondi? Andrew discusses the clubs histories, and the friendly rivalry, competitions etc. Connections between the two clubs through local schools, other sporting clubs, icebergs etc

4.    Andrew discusses mentoring the next generation

5.    Changing demographics of Bondi and eastern suburbs, keeping the Clubs relevant in a changing world

6.    Volunteering, importance of community in a fast pace transitory location with a lot of financial and work pressures on many locals  

7.    Balancing traditions of surf clubs with modern diverse community

8.    How surf life saving is special, offering a unique way to experience a multi-generational community

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Coogee Surf Life Saving Club Member and Director of Lifesaving, Doug Hawkins as our guest.

Doug joined Coogee SLSC in 2000, and by 2003 he was running the Nippers program – and program he professionalised, grew and now trains others on; he’s now Head of Nippers for whole of Sydney branch, retired and Head of Member Services. Doug has also recently been awarded a Life Member for SLSA NSW. 

We discuss:

1.    Why did Doug join surf life saving? 

2.    What’s involved with Nippers (and running Nippers)

3.    Why Doug decided to run a special training program for Nippers parents

4.    Doug also runs a BM group for older people training for Bronze; why?

5.    How Doug became a Life Member 

6.    According to Doug: “Surf Life Saving is our best export, DFAT should sponsor us!”

We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. 

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast

You can learn more at www.bondisurfclub.com 

Welcome to The Bondi Patrol Podcast; a conversation with the people who volunteer their time to keep Bondi beach safe for swimmers, and run the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club - Our core Mission is to save lives, and we couldn’t do that without our 1500 volunteers and an engaged and supportive community, so thank you, we salute you. I’m your podcast host Glen Frost, I’m a Volunteer surf life saver at Bondi, and each episode I’ll be meeting with a Club member to hear their story, and to ask them why they volunteer their time . 

In this episode, I am delighted to welcome Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Member and Captain of Lifesaving, Nixy Krite as our guest.

Nixy started her involvement with Bondi SLSC in October 2010 - she became a general member of a Surf Life Saving club, her kids started Nippers.

In 2023 she’ll be completing her 11th year of service to the community as a volunteer lifesaver, with over 3,360 patrol hours, over 680 patrols. Nixy is also the founder and director of The Pink Patrol; a special patrol that celebrates International Women’s Day at the Bondi SLSC.

Nixy discusses her love of surf lifesaving; from being a Nippers Mum, to the Bronze Medallion to the IRB course (Inflatable Rescue Boat) and to being a trainer.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast

SLSA has over 180 thousand members and over 300 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs, this the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. 

Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– So please, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. 

You can learn more at www.bondisurfclub.com 

Welcome to The Bondi Patrol Podcast; a conversation with the people who volunteer their time to keep Bondi beach safe for swimmers, and run the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club - Our core Mission is to save lives, and we couldn’t do that without our 1500 volunteers and an engaged and supportive community, so thank you, we salute you.

I’m your podcast host Glen Frost, I’m a Volunteer surf life saver at Bondi, and each episode I’ll be meeting with a Club member to hear their story, and to ask them why they volunteer their time. 

In this episode, I’m delighted to welcome Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Member, Sahn Zanotti as our guest. Sahn was born and raised in Brisbane and studied nursing, a career choice she loves and is proud of. Sahn qualified as a Bronzie in 2021, and now teaches the next generation of surf life savers. 

In this podcast we discuss:

1.    Sahn’s background – why nursing? 

2.    Why surf lifesaving? 

3.    How does nursing help you at surf lifesaving? 

4.    What got you involved in teaching the bronze surf lifesaving? What’s involved? 

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast

SLSA has over 180 thousand members and over 300 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs, this the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. 

Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– So please, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. 

You can learn more at https://bondisurfclub.com/  

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Interview with Greg & Tom Bennett

Today, we are delighted to welcome Greg and Tom Bennett, Father and Son, Chair and CEO of Bennett Surf Co as our guests – they’re the 2nd and 3rd generation of surf craft manufacturer and suppliers, including being suppliers to the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club. 

How it all began … Bennett Surf Co was officially founded in 1956 by Barry Bennett out if 1 Wills Avenue, Waverly, under Barrys neighbours house. Bennets have been making surf life saving equipment for over 70 years. Barry was able to evolve through the times , making not just surf life saving boards, but skate boards, surf boards, ski paddles, clothing, surfboard blanks and all raw materials for over 70 years.

Greg Bennet is the 2nd generation Bennett working in the business from day left high school – Greg’s career in SLS and also competitive ocean ski paddling (Molokai channel crossings and other big achievements). Tom, now 26, working with his father Greg, and carrying on Barry’s enormous legacy and (Barry sadly passed away in 2022). Both Father and Son are extremely proud to be carrying this great Australian business on with the main aim of continuing to supply quality surf craft to our customers. 

Other topics covered in this episode:

1. How are the boards made? And the rescue boards designed & made? Tom and Greg describe traditional techniques, evolving to modern construction techniques being light weight closed cell EPS core, finished in high strength epoxy resins, vacuum bagged for additional strength. The aim to make boards perform well, and not cut corners on durability.

2. Rescue Boards: what is the future? Bennetts see soft boards increasing in popularity, with added safety in mind. Soft rescue boards have been the most popular seller for a few years now. They will naturally give the user more comfort and confidence in using the board due to its soft construction. 

3. Environmental issues - Bennetts practice various recycling techniques in terms of ensuring the various plastics and cardboards used in the manufacturing and logistic stages are recycled in the correct way. The aim is to keep plastics to a minimum, and are in talks with suppliers around how to lessen the amounts of packaging and non eco friendly materials used. It is important to Bennetts that they can improve the manufacturing process and make it cleaner into the future. 

4. How to get involved in surf life saving? Both Greg and Tom want to ensure we encourage the younger generation to get involved in Surf Life Saving Australia. Australian beaches are becoming increasingly popular, and we need to ensure surf safety knowledge is known. Joining in and getting involved in your local surf club is not only a great excuse to spend time at the beach with friends, but also a great way to keep fit and better your skills in and out of the ocean.

Bennetts Boards can be ordered online: https://www.bennettsurf.com/ or at their store in Manly, NSW, Australia.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast. SLSA has over 180 thousand members and over 300 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs, this the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– So please, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. 

You can learn more at https://bondisurfclub.com/ 

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 4 : Interview with Kenny Salisbury

Welcome to The Bondi Patrol Podcast; a conversation with the people who volunteer their time to keep Bondi beach safe for swimmers, run the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club as well as the Bondi community who embrace & support our club, and our values – Our core Mission is to save lives at Bondi beach, and we couldn’t do that without our 1500 volunteers and an engaged and supportive community, so thank you, we salute you.

We welcome Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Member, Kenny Salisbury as our guest to the podcast.

Kenny was born and raised in Liverpool in the mid 1950s; he came to Sydney in the 1970s, and has lived in Bondi ever since. He’s involved with the Bondi surf life saving club in two ways; when his two daughters were younger, he was a Nippers parent, and now he’s helping club members get fit and stay fit with boxing – that’s because Kenny is a boxing champion. Kenny started boxing at age 9, in Liverpool; he became an English champion, then an Australian champion, then a Commonwealth Champion.

Kenny jogs and works out every day; and he shares his passion for fitness with other members of the club – in preparation for this podcast, Kenny invited me to a boxing training session with him – I’m still in pain. But you don’t refuse an invite from a man who started boxing at 11, had 33 professional fights and won 32 fights by knock outs!

In this interview we discuss:

1.     Why is Nippers important?

2.     Kenny discusses boxing, travelling the world, and meeting his boxing hero Muhammed Ali

3.     Importance of fitness; importance of the right diet & training 

4.     Mentoring kids/youth via fitness/boxing

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast

SLSA has over 180 thousand members and over 300 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs, this the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. 

Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– that’s a tragedy.

So please, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. 

You can learn more at https://bondisurfclub.com/ 

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 3: Paul Ure

“Joining the Bondi Surf Life Savers Club was one of the best decisions of my life,” says Paul Ure, Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Member.

Paul has been a club member for over 40 years. He’s been involved with Nippers, a surf life saving program which helps kids to swim and know the waves; he’s also been part of the Dippers Program, which helps kids with disabilities to swim and have confidence in the water. 

Paul is deeply involved with the Development Application for the Bondi Clubhouse, which has taken him and the committee over 8 years to get the stamp of approval from Waverley Council. Paul came into the club via the BREMS group - The Bondi Regular early morning surfers group – in this episode we cover:

Why BREMS is great for mental and physical health & wellbeing

Why surf life saving is ‘the great leveler’

Explaining ‘Nippers’ and ‘Dippers’

Paul’s role at the Bondi SLSC (Head of the Building Committee) is heavily involved with the successful DA for the rebuilding of the Club premises: Paul explains the journey from “idea” to “DA approval” 

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast.

We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. 

Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– that’s a tragedy. So Remember, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. 

Become a Member, learn more at https://bondisurfclub.com/ 

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 2: Caroline Pierce, Editor, The Surfer

Caroline is a marketing specialist, journalist, author, sometime-software developer and business analyst. She's worked in a variety of industries ranging from media, the law and property, IT, local government and research. She's been a member of Bondi Surf Club for almost 20 years but this is only her fifth season on patrol.  She's the Editor of the Bondi Surfer newsletter and has been involved in many of the Club's community initiatives including the bushfire relief efforts at the start of 2020, Swim Sisters, the celebrations of 40 years of women in lifesaving and a photo exhibition that was held at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Caroline was involved with Nippers, but it was a near tragic accident in Singapore that motivated her to train and qualify as a Life Saver 

Why learning to swim is transformative for everyone, and at any age! Caroline discusses CanToo, Swim Sisters, and Nippers; all great programs that help teach people how to swim and feel safe in the water.

Caroline is now helping/volunteering as Editor of Club News ‘The Surfer’ at Bondi SLSC – we discuss what’s involved, and how you can help! 

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast.

SLSA has over 180 thousand members and 314 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs, this the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. 

Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– that’s a tragedy.

So Remember, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. 

You can learn more at https://bondisurfclub.com/ 


Music credit: Thank you to The Allniters for the use of 'Montego Bay' at the start and finish of each episode!

Welcome to Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Member, Brett Pattinson, as our guest on the podcast.

Brett’s an Entrepreneur and businessman who began his career as a rock star, fronting Australia’s most successful ska/reggae band of the eighties, The Allniters.  their song ‘Montego Bay’ was a Top 10 hit around the world.

Brett’s played at major festivals, alongside such legends as The Clash, Madness, UB40, Toots & the Maytals, Sandii & the Sunsets, The Troggs, The Style Council, INXS and Split Enz.

Brett’s music and film credits include the title track for one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films, a role on ABC TV’s hit drama series ‘Sweet and Sour’, and his own podcast ‘Float Your Boat’.

Brett’s also had a highly successful career in business. He’s founded, built and sold 3 businesses including ASX-listed, luxury skincare brand, BOD, and Mongrel Joe’s High-Octane Organic Coffee.

Brett’s music skills and business acumen clearly show he’s got a knack for picking trends and turning them into gold. His current project, let’s call it his next adventure, is called BOOM CRASH ROCKSTAR and draws on his knowledge and amazing global network in the music industry, to create a competition and platform for young people looking to launch their creative and music careers.

Thank you for being our guest of The Bondi Patrol Podcast, Brett!

Become a Surf Life Saver at Bondi SBLSC: https://bondisurfclub.com/