July 2026
Winter has been reasonably mild and the water still relatively warm, however we have had a few big surf days that has been great for experienced surfers.
We had our Annual General Meeting on the 28 June that was well attended. We presented our [Annual Report] and thanked our Executive Committee and volunteers for their hard work. We welcomed new members onto the Executive Committee – Maurice Mandalinic as JAC Chair, Jade Needham as Member Services. Thanked Toni Cadden and Carla Davis for their service.
We were all saddened by the news of the passing of two of our oldest members, Mick Griffin OAM and Alan Richardson, both great long-term members who reached the impressive age of 95. They will both be greatly missed.
I look forward to welcoming returning members as well as new members. Details on how to renew can be found below.
There will be an off season Freshie on Fridays on the 31 July – be great to see you there to connect with members. We also do a lot of the preparation works out of season to clean up the club and planning sessions to ensure the season runs smoothly.
The Club Calendar will help you understand the rhythm of the season and what events are on.
Freshwater SLSC is the biggest club on the Northern Beaches! Wow! We must be doing something right!
As part of the club growth, we have implemented a Club Communications and Social Media plan. The focus is to build a strong and visibly consistent message about us to the broader community. With such a focus on social media these days, we just need to be part of it but we need to do it well. If any members are interested in helping the club raise its profile, please contact admin@freshwaterslsc.com.
We are also developing our club strategy and would welcome anyone who feels they have expertise in developing strategies or are just very keen to be involved. Please contact me for further information. president@freshwaterslsc.com
April 2026
What a season!
This will be my last newsletter for the season and wanted to thank you all for your support and engagement with the club. It is all of you who make the club special.
With Aussies, our national championships done and dusted, we can be very proud of the efforts of all our competitors – and for those who didn’t compete, your energy is also amazing. Our sports captain will provide the results below and we really smashed it this year. I’m particularly proud of our boat crews who scored 3 gold medals in what can only be described as nail biting finishes.
We also scored more medals in Masters at Aussies than previous years, so well done team! And our nippers did very well to get through to semi’s and finals in very competitive age groups.
We ran our Club Championships on 7 March and had lots of fun. Not quite as serious as Aussies!
To our nippers and particularly the nipper parents, a bit shout out. You guys have been awesome this year and I look forward to welcoming you back next season. It was great to catch up with you all at the various nipper functions.
I was also privileged to catch up with Jane Spring AM and Mick Garnett. Jane became a paraplegic 35 years ago as a result of an accident and has been a vocal advocate for people with disabilities ever since. She holds many high level roles but is also Chair of Disability Council NSW. Mick is the CEO of Wheelchair sport Australia. They came to use and promote our mobility chair and found it to be very easy to use and stable. They have promoted it to their disability community who we welcome to our beach.
On more administrative matters, we will be running sessions for those members who are interested to input into the changes in our Constitution. We are required, under our Constitution, to review it every 10 years and we will be providing an update to the AGM in June, following the consultation process. The changes were initially undertaken by a committee of senior and expert members who have volunteered for the role. Activities at the club are diverse and we rely on the expertise of our volunteer members to assist us with these types of activities. If you are interested, please contact the club for areas you may have expertise in.
And as I have said before, while carnivals and medals are exciting, our club is built on something deeper. Freshie is the volunteers who run events, the parents shuttling kids to training, the coaches standing on the beach in the rain, and the countless hours of training and gym work that build not only strength, but resilience and connection. It’s the friendships forged, the encouragement shared, and the joy we see in each other’s progress.
To stay across everything happening around the club, keep an eye on our website and social media channels — they’re the best way to stay informed.
And of course, I’m always here. If you ever want to reach out, you can contact me directly at president@freshwaterslsc.com.
See you on the beach,
Shanny
March 2026
Can you believe we’ve already arrived in March? The season is racing by, and what a season it’s been. We’ve wrapped up the State Championships, and I want to offer a huge congratulations to every Freshie member who competed. Whether you came home with a medal or simply gave it your all, you’ve done our club proud. To those who placed — well done on an incredible achievement.
And we’re not slowing down. Aussies kick off later this month, our own Freshwater Club Championships are just around the corner, and Freshie on Fridays continues to bring our community together. There’s a lot happening, and it’s all the good stuff.
As you read on, you’ll find a full wrap‑up of our Branch and State results — a testament not just to athletic performance, but to the spirit behind it.
While carnivals and medals are exciting, our club is built on something deeper. Freshie is the volunteers who run events, the parents shuttling kids to training, the coaches standing on the beach in the rain, and the countless hours of training and gym work that build not only strength, but resilience and connection. It’s the friendships forged, the encouragement shared, and the joy we see in each other’s progress.
To stay across everything happening around the club, keep an eye on our website and social media channels — they’re the best way to stay informed.
And of course, I’m always here. If you ever want to reach out, you can contact me directly at president@freshwaterslsc.com.
Before I sign off, a special moment for Surf Life Saving NSW: the announcement of the organisation’s first female President, Elissa Hancock. A milestone worth celebrating — and a reminder that women in surf are only getting stronger.
See you on the beach,
Shanny
February 2026
February has brought a sense of steadiness back to our beach. While conditions have improved and the water is clearer, we continue to maintain heightened surveillance through additional power craft and drone coverage. The challenges of the past month have reinforced the importance of understanding and respecting the ocean.
Our club has been active and vibrant. Nippers held their beach championships, and Freshwater hosted the First Aid and Champion Lifesaver events. Branch followed with excellent results. The team’s will report more details below. My sincere thanks to the JAC team, our competitors, and the many volunteers—officials, water safety, first aid and support crews—who make these events possible. . Your contribution strengthens our community. If you’re considering getting involved, please reach out; every role adds value. And as always, many thanks to our valued sponsors.
I’ve enjoyed being on the beach, supporting events and connecting with members. Your insights are always welcome—president@freshwaterslsc.com is open to you.
Congratulations to our female boat crew, the Freshie Freaks on their NSW Team selection, and to our March Past team for their strong performances at Collaroy and branch. These achievements reflect dedication and teamwork.
The decision to cancel the Barney Mullins Ocean Swim was not taken lightly. With ongoing marine activity, prioritising safety was essential. My thanks to Andrew de Vries for his leadership and understanding.
Thank you to every member for your resilience and care during a challenging period. Our community remains strong, united and forward‑looking.
See you on the beach,
Shanny
January 2026
January is usually a month filled with optimism, sunshine and the simple joy of being together on our beach. This year has felt very different. Our community has been tested in ways none of us expected, and it’s important to acknowledge the weight of what we’ve all experienced.
We began the month with the North Steyne Boat Carnival, where challenging surf conditions gave us an early reminder of how unpredictable the ocean can be. Our Freshie Freaks didn’t get a run, but our men’s crew represented the club proudly in tough conditions.
As we moved toward the Open Carnival, the weather system off the Queensland coast intensified and tracked south, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and hazardous seas. The Manly Open Carnival managed to run on Friday and Saturday, but even then conditions were marginal. Freshwater bore the brunt of the storm early, forcing organisers to relocate our carnival to Manly for the second year in a row. By Sunday morning, the surf had deteriorated further and the difficult but necessary decision was made to cancel the event. I know how disappointing this was for competitors, volunteers and organisers who had worked tirelessly, but safety must always come first.
Then came the events that have shaken us all: a series of shark attacks along our coastline, including the tragic loss of life in the harbour and the serious injury to a surfer at North Steyne. These incidents have deeply affected our community. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and everyone touched by these events.
In the midst of fear and uncertainty, we also witnessed extraordinary courage. The swift actions of local surfers and North Steyne members made a profound difference in the outcome for the injured surfer. Their bravery and teamwork reflect the very best of our surf lifesaving community.
As we move forward, our focus is on supporting one another and respecting the guidance of lifeguards and authorities. The beach remains closed and all water activities are paused for at least 48 hours while conditions are assessed. Please keep an eye on updates regarding Nippers and the Club Championships.
Thank you to every member who has shown resilience, compassion and patience during an incredibly difficult month. Our community is strong, and we will navigate this together.
See you on the beach when it is safe to return.
Shanny
