Visitors to one of the Coast’s most popular beaches are set to be greeted by some unusual sights from the past.
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club, which is celebrating its centenary, is preparing to host a morning of historic re-enactments and demonstrations of surf sports and lifesaving techniques on Saturday, January 14.
Alan Murray, a life member of the club and chairman of its centenary committee, said the event was planned as a fun day to give club members and the community a taste of what surf lifesaving was like then and now.
“Being holiday time, we expect to get good numbers down there,” he said.
“We’ve had banners advertising it for the past few weeks. I expect there’ll be quite a crowd.”
The re-enactment coincides with the centenary of the first patrol at Mooloolaba in early 1923.
Members will be dressed in original uniforms and take part in resuscitation displays of old and new techniques, as well as demonstrations of water rescues, including a helicopter rescue by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
“We’ll go from the old to the very latest techniques in resuscitation,” Mr Murray said.
A traditional surf belt demonstration will provide an insight into early rescue techniques.
Members from nearby Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore lifesaving clubs will join the club in a traditional march-past.
Other activities will include a surf swim, board and ski races, inflatable rescue boats and surf boats on the water, sprints and flags, plus novelty events from yesteryear including pillow fights, sack races and tug-o-war.
After starting the centenary celebrations last year, the historic re-enactment is the penultimate event planned for the milestone, with a gala dinner coming up in May.
Copies of the limited-edition book Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club, 100 Years 1922-2022 are for sale for $50, while a 100-year walk featuring historic photos is set up in the foyer of the supporters’ club.
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club has more than 1425 members who complete 14,000 volunteer patrol hours each season. Its supporters club has 50,000-plus members and hosts more than 260,000 visitors a year.
The historic re-enactment is from 8am-noon in front of the surf club.
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
