Perranporth Surf Lifesaving Club Members Handbook 2012

8/13/2019 Perranporth Surf Lifesaving Club Members Handbook 2012

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Perranporth Surf Life Saving Clubis a registered charity, number 1041075.

Our charitable aim is:

to save life, whether by prevention or rescue, from thebeach.

Our club is founded in, and supported by, thecommunity of Perranporth and is run by volunteers

dedicated to this aim.

As a club member we hope you will support your fellowmembers by offering your time in making our club thevery best that it can be, by assisting with fundraising,

coaching, instructing or maintenance.

How you help is up to you, but do please help!


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Welcome from the Club President

Welcome to Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club, which was founded inFebruary 1957. For more than 50 years volunteers from Perranporth and the

surrounding area have joined to become members of a lifesaving club famedaround the world. From the age of seven years to 80+ the club caters formany needs. Some join to be lifesavers, others join for the competition and alljoin for the social and community spirit.

Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club instils in members a need for determination,courage and teamwork and all the valuable skills required to save a victimslife, caught unawares whilst bathing at the beach. All the above skills aretaught and learnt through good training, experience on voluntary patrols and

by taking part in inter-club competitions.

In recent years the club has forged a worthwhile partnership with the RNLI.The club provides the facilities and some of the personnel for the professionalRNLI Lifeguard service. The RNLI provides a career structure with links toother lifeguard services around the world. Club members are encouraged tojoin the professional lifeguard service and in turn they acquire further skills.These are the skills sought after by the recognised 999 organisations of thePolice, Fire and Ambulance services.

I am proud to have been elected to the role of President of Perranporth SLSC a club I joined at the age of 14. The club has given me many opportunitiesover the years and I have forged life-long friendships here and around theworld. I hope the same will happen for you.

Peter Gaisford, Club President


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Introduction from the Club Captain

Hello and welcome to Perranporth Surf Lifesaving Club, now in its 55th

year.Although much of our equipment, techniques and faces have changed, our

club members dedication to our aim and our club ethos remains as strong asever. Our education in beach safety, from Nippers to Masters, remainsconsistent with some of the best surf lifesaving training in the country. Wehave professional RNLI lifeguards who are members and many Senior andolder Youth members are actively involved in assisting the RNLI on avoluntary basis, patrolling throughout the summer. Lifesaving training takesplace throughout the year; I urge you to all come and take part; it can reallybenefit you in water skills and fitness on various rescue craft. The club offersdifferent levels of training for all abilities, so theres a night that will suit you.

Most of our training is delivered by our own fully qualified and experiencedvolunteers from within the club.

We regularly send teams to regional, national and international level surflifesaving events. The competitive sport of surf lifesaving includes swimmingeither pool or in the sea, board paddling and ski paddling. We also have avery competitive surfboat rowing squad. Our own lifesaving sports trainingtakes place throughout the year and sports training is done almost every night.We currently have teams of nippers 7-13, youth 13-19, seniors 19-30 and

masters 30+. Some of our members are lucky enough to represent Cornwallcompeting in the Celtic Cup against other counties and we have memberswho have represented GB at international events around the world!!

Our club runs entirely on a voluntary basis so I would really like to encourageyou to help out in some way. We require a hand helping to fundraise, in clubmaintenance, assisting our coaches with training sessions or running events.So please, try to help out YOUR club as much as possible, it will be greatlyappreciated! Joining a new club can be daunting so we all need to be aswelcoming as possible. It is also important for any new member to interactwith club members. I strongly recommend that you turn up on a Wednesdayclub night, when we have club notices so everyone can keep up to date withwhats coming up and events that are happening. So, once again please try toturn up, it will be beneficial to you.

On one final note, I would just like to say thank you for taking your time to readthis and if you have any queries or need help and assistance with anythingthen please let me know and I will try to help out as best as I can.

Simon Boyle, Club Captain


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How Our Club is Organised

Trustees

As a charity, the running of our club is overseen by a group of trustees, whoare legally responsible for the delivery of the charitable aims.

The trustees are:

Robert Plimley

Alan Homes

Angus Easson

Chris Harding

Thomas Tremewan

Committee

The day-to-day running of our club is done by a group of members elected atthe Annual General Meeting held in November. The contact details ofcommittee members and other key club members and their roles are outlinedon page 6 or you can find them on the website. If you are keen to get involvedplease see Karen Longstaff.

Four sub-committees have been set-up to help co-ordinate the myriadactivities entailed in running a club like Perranporth SLSC. These sub-committees are:

Lifesaving organising and delivering lifesaving and inshore rescueboat training and patrols

Sport organising sports coaching, training and competitions

Fundraising co-ordinating our clubs never ending fundraising effort

Buildings and facilities ensuring the maintenance of our clubhouse

and equipment

Surf Life Saving Great Britain

SLSGB is the national umbrella organisation for thecountrys surf life saving clubs. We, along with other clubs,belong to SLSGB who co-ordinate national competitions,organize training events and run surf lifesaving awards.

See www.slsgb.org.uk/
http://www.slsgb.org.uk/http://www.slsgb.org.uk/


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Who's Who and What They Do

President Peter Gaisford 01872 573697

Chairman Dave Meads 07503 050034

Hon. Secretary Nigel Bowden 01872 571719

Hon. Treasurer Cath McRitchie 07545 340503

Membership Secretary Chrissie Davies 01872 573800

Administrator Karen Longstaff 01872 571560

Committee Members: Ellie Woodward, Carl Harding, Dave Townsend, vacancy

Co-opted Members: Jill Stott, Pete Whitbread-Abrutat

Club Captain Simon Boyle 07813994656

Vice Captain Jason Wheeler 07533285773

Ladies Captain Mel Perks

Surfboat Captain Shelley Holland 07866017780

Inshore Rescue Boat

(IRB) CaptainBen Gardiner 07974943575

Sports Co-ordinator Simon Boyle 07813994656

Nipper Co-ordinator Spike Gaisford 01872 573697

Lifesaving Co-ordinator James OHare 07766662434

Child Protection Officer Spike Gaisford 07779292495

Youth Manager Dave Townsend 07791759723

Youth Representative Eoghan Webb 07746 068380

Competition Co-ordinator vacancy

Fundraising, Publicity &Website David Cromie 07789712935

Transport Steward Perran Williams 07502 037951

Gear Steward Glenn Latham/Jason Wheeler 01752 214650

Building Maintenance Carl Harding 07967 311120

Club Kit Trina Gregory 01872 575221


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Members responsibilities

Please enjoy our clubs facilities they belong to all members based on thefollowing conditions:

The club is not responsible for any personal belongings, includingsurfboards, left at the clubhouse. They are left at your own risk.

Please remove your wetsuit before entering the clubhouse. Pleaseuse the tub or outside shower to rinse your wetsuit. Hang your wetsuiton the rack provided, using a coat hanger, or take it home.

No wetsuits in the showers or upstairs.

The equipment you take out is your responsibility please return it afteruse. Do not leave equipment outside by the back doors (or at thewaters edge).

To reduce the risk of theft, please close the garage doors afterremoving and returning equipment.

Ensure both fob doors are shut when you leave.

If you are the last to leave the clubhouse at night, check that the backand front fob doors are shut, locking the main door if you have a key.

No equipment is to be used by under 16s unless qualified orsupervised by a senior member.

Nippers may only use foam boards. They must be supervised by aparent or suitably-qualified member out of official club sessions.

Non-competent Juniors and Seniors may only use foam boardsoutside organised club sessions.

Any damaged equipment must be logged on the notice board sothat it can be quickly repaired.

Please help to keep your clubhouse tidy.

Thank You


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Club ethos

The club motto is 'Vigilance and Service', reflecting its local community rootsand its members commitment to helping others. All members are encouraged

to contribute to this ethos by:

Understanding and promoting beach safety and surf lifesaving.

Committing to providing water safety cover during club training events, ifappropriately qualified.

Providing voluntary beach and water safety cover, if appropriatelyqualified, for the general public as part of organised club patrols.

Endeavouring to take qualifications in lifesaving and first aid.

Acting as an ambassador for the club in the wider community our clubhas a high public profile locally.

Participating in fundraising activities.

Assisting with maintaining the clubhouse and club equipment.

Assisting with training younger club members.

Representing the club in surf lifesaving competitions, where appropriate.

Respecting fellow club members

Wearing club colours when representing the club.

In return you should expect:I. Support from your peers2. Assistance when needed

3. Training for competition and surf lifesaving awards4. Great facilities, great friends

5. Lots of fun

Your first point of contact, should you wish to discuss any aspect of club life, isthe Club Captain.


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General Club information

The clubhouse is situated on Perranporth BeachGrid reference: SW 757 547 GB

Clubhouse telephone number: 01872 572325Club website: www.perranporthslsc.org.uk

We have Facebook and Twitter pages and also use Teamer.net for textnotifications.

Administrative address:Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club13 St Georges Hill

PerranporthTR6 0DZCornwall

Email: [email protected]

Membership/ affiliation address:Perranporth Surf Life Saving ClubPenstruthal Farmhouse,PenstruthalLanner,RedruthTR16 6SX

Email: [email protected]

Useful Emergency Numbers

Police/ Coastguard/ Ambulance/ Fire: 999/ 112

RNLI Lifeguards, Perranporth: 01872 573418St. Agnes RNLI Lifeboat Station: 01872 552680

Perranporth Surgery: 01872 572255

NHS Direct: 0845 46 47

Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske A&E (main switchboard): 01872 250000

Newquay & District Hospital, 24 hour Minor Injuries Unit: 01637 893600

Environment Agency: 0800 80 70 60

Live Marine Strandings, RSPCA: 0870 55 55 999

British Divers Marine Life Rescue: 01825 765546Dead Marine Strandings: 0845 201 2626
http://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/http://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/


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Club News and Website

Information regarding club activities, competitions and social events isdisseminated at Captains Notices at 2045 on Wednesday Club Nights, via the

clubs website and Facebook site, email and printed newsletter.

We like to promote newsworthy club activities through the local media and arealways on the lookout for interesting club-related news and pictures to keepour web-site fresh. Please email info to Dave Cromie [email protected].

Through the club website you can also check surf reports, downloadmembership application forms and annual reports. You can also help raisefunds for the club, at no cost to yourself, by doing your online shopping

through our website.

Club Training

Members should bring a swimming costume and full length wetsuit (for thewater) and shorts and T-shirt (for the beach). Club hats are used to identifymembers in the sea and must be worn.

Club ClothingA full range of branded club clothing and sportswear can be obtained fromat the clubhouse on Wednesday and Thursday nights throughout thesummer, or from our website.

Something to Say?

We are always open to constructive suggestions to improve the way the clubis run. In the first instance, please contact a member of the committee or,

failing that, Simon Boyle (Club Captain), Dave Meads (Chairman), or Karen

Longstaff (Administrator) with your suggestions or concerns.

Perranporth SLSC Constitutionhttp://www.perranporthslc.org/

SLS GB Code of Conduct

http://www.slsgb.org.uk/docs/documents/rules
http://www.perranporthslc.org/http://www.sl/http://www.sl/http://www.perranporthslc.org/


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Nippers (7 to 12 years)

Our clubs Nipper section has over 100 children. As a Nipper your child will betaught surf safety, basic lifesaving skills, surf and beach sports (wading, surf

swimming, board-paddling, beach flags, beach sprints and relays). Theemphasis is on fun in a friendly environment. During winter we also runlifesaving training sessions at Newquays Waterworld pool.

We have an Its the taking part that counts attitude to the variouscompetitions in which our Nipper teams participate no child is pushed tocompete. We will of course support any child who is willing to represent theclub at competitions as best we can. The children also work towards variousnational surf safety awards, which include both sports and lifesaving elements.

The children are divided into groups according to ability or age, organised byan Age Manager who is also in charge of discipline, whilst each session is runby coaches. If you have any problems please speak to your Age Manager.

New and non-competent children must wear an orange vest, supplied by theclub, over their wetsuits. This is for easy identification until they are sufficientlycompetent.

Nippers must be accompanied to and from the clubhouse session and

signed in and out by a parent/ carer. Age 7s must have a parent withthem. Children will need to bring to each beach session:

Water - swimming costume/trunks, a full length warm wetsuit.

Beach - shorts, T-shirt

Club hats are used to identify members in the sea and must beworn during training sessions.

Running sessions for large groups of children requires effort and commitment

by the adults involved. We encourage all nipper parents to help out during thesessions for two key reasons: safety and enjoyment. We really do need helpin the water to run effectively and always need Age Managers!Some nipper parents, who became involved with our club through theirchildren, are now national champions in surf lifesaving sports and evenqualified lifeguards.

SLS GB Good Practice Guidelineshttp://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Good-Practise.pdfSLS GB Child Protection Policy http://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Child-Protection-Policy.pdf
http://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/wp/wphttp://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/wp/wphttp://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/wp/wphttp://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/wp/wp


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Juniors (13 to 16 years) and Youth (16 to 19 years)

Many of our teenage members represent our club in regional and national surflifesaving sports competitions. Some have even made the British team

representing the country in international competitions as far away as Japan,South Africa, Australia and Canada!

Many of our older youth members are qualified RNLI beach lifeguards, gainingtheir requisite qualifications through club-based training and experience.Members of 16 years and over are encouraged to work towards the NaRSBeach Lifeguard award required for employment as a professional beachlifeguard in the UK and abroad.

For junior members the soft foam equipment used by nippers is replaced byfibre-glass rescue boards, surf skis, paddle-boards and the rescue tube.Beach sports skills are also honed. Juniors are encouraged to work towardsthe range of awards shown on page 13.

Seniors (20 to 29 years) and Masters (30+ years)

Our seniors and masters sections are very active sections in the club. Many

have either progressed through our club from a young age or have left andthen returned to us in later life. Their ranks include many surf lifesaving sportsnational and world champions and professional and volunteer RNLI lifeguards.

We love to meet new members and offer a varied training programme in allthe sports and lifesaving disciplines to keep everyone happy and stimulated.The surfboat (surf-rowing) is well attended by many of our seniors and plays acohesive role within this part of the club our current ladies team are nationaland European champions!

Our older members are important to us as we depend on them for help withevents and fundraising and they are a vital support network for other clubmembers.


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Surf Life Saving Qualifications

Our club is well-equipped with personnel and equipment to deliver a range ofqualifications in sports and lifesaving. Whatever your ability, we encourage all

members to work towards an award that fits their ability and interest.

For life saving awards, please contact Dave Meads.For surf life saving sports qualifications, please contact Nigel Bowden.For inshore rescue boat (IRB) qualifications, please contact Ben Gardiner.

Award Age Validity Notes

National Surf SafetyAwards

8-13 LifeIntroduction to surf life saving Surf awareness;

beach & water training; first aid Levels 1- 6

Bronze/Silver/GoldLifesaver

11+ LifeTurns competent swimmers into potential Life

Savers.

Surf Competence 11+ 3 years200X200X200m run-swim-run (not timed). Beach

flag signals

Board Competence 11+ LifeDemonstrate ability to launch & paddle a rescue

board for 400m & rescue a patient

Ski Competence 12+ LifeDemonstrate ability to launch & paddle ski 600m;

manoeuvring skills

Surf Boat Competence 16+ LifeSurf boat safety; maintenance; technique;

commands; evacuation

SLSGB Sport SkillAwards

various LifeLevels 1 5 Swim/ Board/Ski personal progression

for recreation and competition

SLSGB Surf Life SaverQualification

14+ 2 yearsParts A & B. Enables holder to assist with safety

cover & compete in life saving sports

SLSGB Beach LifeguardQualification

16+ 2 yearsThe ultimate in surf life saving and advancedresuscitation. Required to become a lifeguard

SLSGB LifeguardSupport Qualification

15+ 2 YearsSupport to beach lifeguarding; fitness, beach

knowledge, life support & first aid. No swimming

necessary.SLSGB IRB Crewman

and Driver Qualification16+ 2 years

Should have SLS Award. maintenance skills,rescue skills, emergency engine failure

Coaching Levels 1 & 2Qualification

16-18 LifeCoaching levels to assess all surf life saving

competition skills

Instructors & AssessorsQualification

17+ 2 yearsMust hold SLS award. Must successfully train

students to gain lifesaving awards.

SLSGB Surfing Coach

Award15+ 2 years

Lifeguard skills, knowledge & rescue; life support;

first aid. Required to volunteer for RNLI.

*There is a nominal charge to cover some exam registrations and manuals.


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Volunteering with the RNLI

RNLI Lifeguards are part of an organisation with a strong volunteer ethos. Byenlisting volunteers to patrol alongside paid lifeguards, or to take over from

paid lifeguards at weekends, we can uphold this tradition and keep thebeaches safe. The RNLI recognises the contribution that lifesaving clubsmake to beach safety and works with clubs wherever possible to developvolunteer lifeguards.

As a volunteer you will: Receive full RNLI Lifeguard induction and first aid training Receive a uniform Opportunities to work towards accredited YAA Awards through UK Youth

(www.ukyouth.org) Be giving something back to the community Gain unique experiences Make new friends Receive opportunities for personal development

There are three main volunteer roles within the RNLI Lifeguard service:

For more information about volunteering with the RNLI, please contactPete Whitbread-Abrutat or Dave Meads,

or seethe RNLI website: www.rnli.org.uk/lifeguards.

Volunteer Beach Lifeguard Over 16

Swim 400m in 7.5mins Swim 25 underwater followed

by 25m surface swim in 50s Run 200m on sand in 40s Hold a current valid NARS

Beach Lifeguard award or ILSrecognised equivalent

Volunteer Lifeguard Support Over 14

Hold a NARS Lifeguard Supportaward, Beach Patrol award orequivalent

Interested in first aid, radiocommunications, observationsor community education

Interested in all aspects ofbeach lifeguarding

Beach Safety Adviser Over 16 Good knowledge of beach safety Confident communicator Willing to travel around local area
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/(www.ukyouth.org)http://www.rnli.org.uk/lifeguardshttp://www.rnli.org.uk/lifeguardshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/(www.ukyouth.org)


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2012 Summer Training Times (April till early September)

Monday Nights:

Surfboat training @ 6.30pm at the beach

Tuesday Nights: Youth Training Night, 7-8pm @ the Beach. Board & Swim training. All

abilities, ages from 12-19.

Wednesday Nights:

Club Night, From 7pm onwards @ the Beach. NaRS Lifesaving training, IRBtraining, Ladies session (With Mel Perks our new Ladies Capt.) Board andSurf Swimming training, general social, food and Notices @ 9pm

Thursday Nights:

Nipper Beach training @ 6.15 -8.15pm, Beach and water sessions inlifesaving, swimming, board and beach games.

Sundays:

Ski paddling & Surfboat training @ 9am at the beach. Venues will changedue to surf conditions, (more info on Facebook page)

2012/13 Winter Training Times (September until April)

Tuesday Nights:

Youth Swimming Session 7-8pm Redruth School Pool (2)

Seniors Swimming Session 8-9pm Redruth School Pool (2.50)

Wednesday Nights:

Open Club night from 6.30 pm, Circuits, Gym, All members welcome.

Thursday Nights:

Nipper Swimming 7- 8pm, (1.50/2) Seniors and Youth Swim 8 - 9pm Newquay Waterworld (2/2.50)

Saturday & Sunday

Patrols for qualified lifesavers during summer peak season

Sunday:

Ski paddling, Truro Malpas, 9 -10am and 10 -11am (Info on Facebook page)

Please note: precise details on timing are subject to change according to the conditions andthe availability of key people. Please check club's communications for up to date info.


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Perranporth SLSC Club Events 2012

19th April Nipper Swimathon , Newquay Pool

17th May The Big Club Here Comes Summer BBQ, Clubhouse

1st Sept European Surf Rowing Championships, Perranporth

2nd Sept The 25th

Perranporth Extreme Surf Triathlon

8th Sept Perranporth SLSC Youth Challenge Aquathon

20th Sept The Big Club Finale BBQ, Clubhouse

21st Oct Perranporth SLSC Clubbie Classic Surf Contest, Clubhouse

Major SLS Cornwall & SLS GB Events 2012

14th April, British Senior & Masters Life Saving Pool Championships Cardiff

21st April British Nipper Life Saving Pool Championships, Cardiff Il Pool

21st April British Youth Life Saving Pool Championships Cardiff

10th June Max Hocking Fun Day for Nippers Cornwall, venue TBC

21st & 22nd July Cornish SLS Nipper Championship, Carbis Bay

11th & 12th August Surf Life Saving Cornwall Championships: venue TBC

25th & 26th August British Masters Life Saving Sport Surf Championships: Portreath

28th & 29th August British Youth Life Saving Sport Surf Championships, Portreath

31st Aug & 1st Sep British Nipper Life Saving Sports Surf Championships:, Portreath

8th & 9th Sept British Senior Life Saving Sport Surf Championships: Polzeath

29th & 30th Oct British Senior & Masters IRB Championships: Bournemouth

United Kingdom Surf Rowers League (UKSRL) Events 2012

19th May Poppit Sands, West Wales Rd 1

23rd June Portreath, Cornwall Rd 2

14th July Watergate Bay, Cornwall Rd 3

28th July UK Open Surfboat Championships, Saunton Sands

1st Sept European Surf Rowing Championships, Perranporth,

15th Sept Westward Ho, N Devon Rd 4, 29th Sept Bournemouth Rd 5


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Beach Safety: Rip Currents and Waves

When on the beach you should be aware of rip currents and waves. Here area few pointers to help you and anyone who asks you.

Rip Currentsare a serious problem on Perranporth Beach. Many beach users do notrecognise what the hazards are. Rips are caused by a build-up of water on theshoreward side of the surf line returning back to the sea. This mass of waterwill take the easiest way back to the sea using slopes and channels on thebeach (which may be almost imperceptible when the tide is out). Generally thebigger the waves and the deeper the channel, the stronger the rip. Rips alsooccur around other geographical features such as rocks, rivers, piers andheadlands.

Rip currents can be recognised by:

Discoloured water (brown) caused by churned up sand

Darker, deeper water

Foam on the surface extending beyond the break

Debris floating seaward

A rippled appearance when the water around is calm

A break in the surf line with smaller (or non-existent) waves

To escape from a rip: dont panic. Tired or poor swimmers should swim at90

oto the pull of the current usually parallel to the shore; strong swimmers

can swim at 45o

across the rip aiming for breaking waves. Once out of therip return to shore in direction perpendicular to the beach.

Wavesresult from the strength, duration and direction of the wind. Types of wavesinclude:

Spilling waves occur on a gently sloping beach and are the safest forswimmers. The crest of the wave tumbles down the face. In shallow waterthese waves may form tubes.

Dumping waves occur on reefs or steeply sloping beaches. These arevery powerful waves and can be very dangerous to swimmers and surfersalike.

Surging waves are unbroken waves where the water is too deep for themto beak. They occur particularly around rocks and headlands. They travelvery fast and as a result can sweep people off rocks or off their feet.


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Beach Signals and Flags

Signal flags are rectangular in shape and coloured orange with a 10cm blue diagonal stripe.


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Documents

Perranporth Surf Lifesaving Club Members Handbook 2012