This is what we are all about...
This is a letter from a member of the public regarding a rescue in early November, which it proves the worth of doing a lifeguard award, and how our members can assist those in difficulties when the professionals are off-duty.
Dear Richard,
I am writing to you because this seems to be the most appropriate email address of the ones listed on the Croyde SLSC website for my request.
I was surfing Croyde Beach in the evening of 4th November 2011 when suddenly my leash came off and I found myself without surfboard to hold on to. Because I am not a good swimmer, I shouted for help and was lucky to have Steve Griggs waiting for waves close by. He paddled over to me, let me hold on to him to get some rest and then he told me how to swim back in while he stayed close to me all the time and made sure I was getting back to the beach ok. I can’t describe how grateful I am that Steve was there at the right moment in the right spot. Since Steve seems to be very involved with Croyde SLSC, I would like to make a donation of £100 to your club to say THANK YOU!
Could you please send me the bank details of Croyde SLSC so I can pay the money into your account?
Many thanks!
Thomas Thueer
Cowley
Oxford
Dear Thomas,
Thanks so much for your fantastic email about one of our stalwart members - Steve Griggs is one of our club-trained lifeguards and a fully qualified swimming coach as well, so you were indeed lucky to be close to him in a big swell. I am forwarding this to him, so he knows how much he was able to help you. It is great to get feedback from people who are assisted by our club members, many of whom surf regularly and come to the aid of people of all ages especially when the surf is larger, or they lose their equipment. Often this happens during times when the professional paid lifeguards are off-duty so they do a great job keeping Croyde safer.
2011 Annual Club Awards Evening
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Croyde Surf Life Saving Club’s annual awards evening was held at Unison Resort on Friday 11th November. Many awards were given out to nipper (aged 8 to 13 years), youth (13 to 19 years old) and master (aged 30 upwards) members as well as cups and trophies, for those whom the coaches thought were particularly deserving. A brilliant night was had by all, and the venue proved to be ideal for the ever growing club, which now boasts 240 members, over 160 of whom turned out on the night.
The cup for most improved boy nipper went to Alfie Stone, and most improved girl nipper Alice Hood. Most committed boy nipper went to Sam Nevill and most committed girl to Millie Hood. Youth progress cups went to Stefan Griggs and Holly Greenway. Most committed youth boy was awarded to Joe Wright and most committed youth girl went to Olivia Bennett. Best club competitor cups were awarded based on points scored in competitions throughout the year. Best nipper competitor was awarded to Alfie Stone and also Millie Hood. Best nipper-junior competitor boy went to Ryan Griggs and best best nipper-junior competitor went to Olivia Bennett. Best youth competitor awards went to Charlie Greenway and Holly Greenway. The best pair awards went to Matt Hartnoll and Ryan Griggs, and Nicole Short and Charlie Edge. The young lifesaver cup is a recognition of a club member using their lifesaving skills to help a member of the public outside of training sessions. This was awarded to Charlie Greenway and Stefan Griggs who assisted a member of the public who was in difficulty in the water. The boys helped bring the person to safety, prior to the RNLI lifeguards arriving on the scene.
The club Senior Shield, which is awarded to someone who does not necessarily compete, coach or actively participate, but works hard ’behind the scenes’ was awarded to Nigel Taylor, who did a brilliant job in organising the duck race event, which raised over £5000. Masters trophy was awarded to Carl (Lurch) Priscott and the Youth Development Cup went to Helen Blackman. The Youth Development Cup is awarded as a thank you to a trainer or someone who has helped/inspired the youth section to continue their lifesaving skills. The Rory Bell Cup, which is awarded for long term commitment to the club was awarded to Ian Bennett. The Trevor Harvey Cup, which is awarded for service’s to surf life saving went to James Hood, who has many links with surf life saving Devon and GB. The Broken Paddle Award went to Steve Griggs, who nearly lost a finger during a surf boat race during the summer. And the Saunton to Croyde challenge Cup was awarded to Alfie Reed, who wasn’t able to participate in the swim this year, but provided safety cover on a board. Alfie’s had many difficulties to overcome this year, and has shown great determination, enthusiasm and commitment to the club throughout.
The club also had 23 members collecting awards for commitment to contests (competing in 4 or more, at regional and national level during the year), 26 for completing the Saunton to Croyde swim, 10 for completing a 400m swim in under 7.30mins, which is an actual lifeguard time. 30 members collected awards for completing a mile swim, 12 of these in under 35 minutes, 16 of these in under 30 minutes and 2 of these under 25 minutes. 30 members were recognised for attending at least 80% of the training sessions that were on offer. Finally over 70 certificates were presented to club members for their success at achieving a variety of skills and disciplines ranging from Mini-Nippers to Level 2 Youth awards. A fantastic evening, complemented with a buffet and disco, where it was inspiring to see so many young people striving to keep fit and develop their sport under the guidance and expertise of so many volunteers from our local community.
2011 Devon Masters at Croyde 3rd Sept
Croyde Surf Lifesaving Masters Team retained the Devon Masters Cup for the third year running with a great mix of competitiveness and good sportsmanship. Having been postponed from earlier in the summer, Croyde were still keen to host the event but knew that many team members would not be able to make the new date. Ian Bennett managed to rally a team of sixteen, but was then disappointed to hear that Saunton and Woolacombe were struggling to make up numbers. Sports officer Tracy Lark organised a mixed team event to complement the individual competition which brought much camaraderie between the competitors. Team members for Croyde were Shaun Latham, Paul Trueman, Lyn Strahan, Phil Strahan, Chris Reed, Pete Makepeace, Richard Windsor, Carole Miller, Chris Lane, Tony Wright, Carl ’Lurch’ Priscott, Leroy Thommen, Ian Bennett, Steve Edge, Dominic Adams and Angus Jefferies. Wave of the day went to Tony Wright, whilst competing in the taplin race, who demonstrated great skills as he caught a cracking wave which he knee-paddled in almost to the shallows and followed with a sprint across the sand. Bideford Bay and Dawlish Warren clubs were also represented on the day.
Ski
30+Men; Leroy Thommen - Gold
40+Men; Carl Priscott - Silver
50+Men; Richard Windsor - Silver
Board event:
30+ Ladies; Carole Miller - Gold, Lyn Strahan - Silver
Men; Phil Strahan - Gold, Leroy Thommen - Silver, Paul Trueman - 4th.
40+Men; Ian Bennett - Gold, Carl Priscott & Shaun Latham joint Silver, Tony Wright 4th, Angus Jefferies 7th, Chris Reed 8th, Chris Lane 10th.
50+Men; Richard Windsor - Gold, Peter Makepeace - 4th.
Sea Swim:
30+Ladies; Carole Miller - Silver.
30+Men; Leroy Thommen - Silver, Phil Strahan - Bronze
40+Men; Shaun Latham - Silver, Carl Priscott - 4th, Ian Bennett - 5th, Tony Wright - 6th, Angus Jefferies - 8th, Chris Reed - 10th.
50+Men; Richard Windsor - Silver
1km run
30+Ladies; Lyn Strahan - Silver, Carole Miller - Bronze.
30+Men; Phil Strahan - Silver, Paul Trueman - Bronze, Leroy Thommen - 4th.
40+Men; Steve Edge - Gold, Angus Jefferies - Silver, Carl Priscott - 4th, Dominic Adams - 5th, Chris Reed -6th, Shaun Latham - 9th.
50+Men; Richard Windsor - Gold, Peter Makepeace - Silver.
Total points: Croyde 1st 239 points, Saunton 2nd 105 points, Dawlish Warren 3rd 58 points, Woolacombe 4th 57 points, Bideford Bay 5th 4 points.
2011 National Nipper Champs in Portreath
Croyde Surf Life Saving Club took a team of 22 nippers, aged between 8 and 13 years, to the National Surf Life Saving Beach Competition that was held at Portreath in Cornwall on 26th and 27th of August. The club was brilliantly represented by these 22 nippers, who were all exceptionally well behaved and full of team spirit. The nippers were greeted by challenging surf conditions, with shore dumping 2 ft sets rolling in continuously throughout the weekend. Many of Croyde’s nippers competed in more than just one discipline, and showed skill and confidence both in and out of the water. A particular well done to Millie and Alice Hood, who each gained a silver medal in their individual board races. Croyde’s team also showed marvellous turn out for the golden nipper event, which involves a swim, a run and a board, with 8 Croyde competitors being placed within the top 16 in their age group. This is a particularly challenging event where competitors must use skill and stamina in order to complete the course. Overall the nippers team came 10th out of 23 teams! Congratulations to all of those who took part.
Individual Results by discipline (Age category not stated)
Wade
Millie Edge - 15th, Lauren Short - 8th Surf Race Alice Hood - 4th, Erin Hall - 5th, Charlie Taylor - 10th, Millie Hood - 6th, Nicole Short - 7th
Board Race
Holly Nevill - 6th, Alice Hood – silver medal, Jai Priscott - 11th, Sam Nevill - 12th, Erin Hall - 15th, Charlie Taylor - 7th, Alfie Stone - 14th, Millie Hood – silver medal, Nicole Short - 8th, Rachael Cooper - 16th, Ryan Griggs - 12th Golden Nipper Erin Hall - 7th, Charlie Taylor - 6th, Jon Braund-Bond - 8th, Callum Roberts - 16th, Millie Hood - 5th, Nicole Short - 9th, Rachael Cooper - 14th, Charlie Edge - 16th
1k Run
Lauren Short - 15th, Erin Hall - 12th, Alfie Stone - 4th, Charlie Taylor - 8th, Sian Lewis - 9th Flags Millie Edge - 9th, Lauren Short - 15th, Jon Braund-Bond - 8th, Alfie Stone - 10th
Sprint
Millie Edge - 15th, Lauren Short - 9th, Alfie Stone - 6th Beach Relay Millie Edge,Alice Hood,Holly Nevill, Rosie Lambert - 10th, Jon Braund-Bond,Alfie Stone,William Gale, Charlie Taylor - 9th, Phoebe Hulme,Sian Lewis,Phobeb Hulme,Rachael Cooper - 11th Board Relay Will Gale, Alfie Stone, Sanm Nevill- 6th, Charlie Taylor, Jonny Braund-Bond, Jai Priscott- 5th, Millie Hood, Nicole Short, Charlie Edge- 6th, Rachael Cooper, Sian Lewis, Phoebe Hulme- 10th
Surf Relay
Will Gale, Callum Roberts,Sam Nevill - 6th, Alfie Stone,Jonny Braund-Bond,Charlie Taylor - 9th, Phoebe Hulme, Millie Hood, Charlie Edge - 7th Board Rescue Sam Nevill and Jai Priscott - 7th, Alfie Stone and Jonny Braund-Bond - 11th, Charlie Taylor and Callum Roberts - 14th, Nicole Short and Charlie Edge- 4th, Millie Hood and Sian Lewis - 10th, Rachael Cooper and Phoebe Hulme - 12th, Ryan Griggs and Oscar Adams - 10th
2011 National Masters in Portreath
Croyde Surf Life Saving Club took a team of seven masters (adults aged 30 years plus) to compete in the national beach competition which was held at Portreath in Cornwall on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August. The team were able to earn a very credible 7th place overall, out of a field of 23 teams, with 508.5 points.
Steve Griggs was especially keen to participate, coming 15th in the 1 kilometre run, after having had surgery on his hand only a few days earlier. Richard Windsor, as always, competed well and earned the team many points. At 60+ and winning 4 gold medals, he even gave the 50 + age group a run for their money, coming 2nd in a 50+ board race. Ian Bennett and Carl (Lurch) Priscott made a brilliant team for the board rescue event, gaining a bronze medal, in spectacular style, catching a steep wave which brought them from 7th place, up to 3rd! James Hood sprinted, as never seen before, to help the board relay team – Ian Bennett and Carl Priscott - win a gold medal, the first ever in this age group.
Leroy Thommen participated in all disciplines, competing in 10 different events against many well respected and elite surf life saving athletes. He showed skill and determination in the ski events, with great performances over the weekend. Peter Makepeace became a National Champion in the beach flags event, with some of the most enthusiastic performances of the weekend. He sets a great example to newcomers to the sport, having only joined the club in recent years.
Well done to those who took part and thank you to the Thatch who’s sponsorship money allowed the team tent to grace the sands of Portreath.
2011 Devon Ocean Youth Champs
28 June/2 July 2011
5 Gold, 15 Silver and 22 Bronze medals were scooped at this year’s Devon Youth Ocean champs, hosted for the second year by Croyde club over 2 days 28th June and the 2nd July.
After a sunny Tuesday evening of beach events, the ocean races started early on the sunday morning with calm conditions. As the day progressed the swell picked up to shoulder-high, clean waves which made the final events on boards and skis an interesting challenge for the youngsters.
Results:
GOLD 2 Charlie Greenway, 1 Will Honey, Jordan Raymond and Ellen Raymond
SILVER 3 Charlie Greenway and Matt Hartnoll, 2 Joe Windsor and Ellen Raymond, 1 Jordan Raymond, Will Honey, Holly Greenway, Harley Lane and Sebastian Latham
BRONZE 6 Stefan Griggs, 3 Joe Windsor, 2 Charlie Greenway, Holly Greenway, Joe Wright, Ryan Griggs, Jake Sayer 1 Jordan Raymond, Will Honey and Andrew Kirby.
Adam Pollard, Olivia Bennett, Lamorna Lane and Will Hartnoll all collected bonus points for the team’s overall score.
Saunton to Croyde Swim 2011
Beautiful conditions and a good turnout, saw this year’s big swim unfold on Tuesday July 12th, with swimmers meeting at the drop of a hat at Saunton beach carpark. Underlines the fact that there are a lot of the stalwarts and youngsters who just want to do fun ’off the cuff’ stuff utilisiing their lifesaving abilities.
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2011 swimmers were:
Shaun Latham, Liz Greenway, Flora Lawton, Ellen Raymond, Rich, Jen and Joe Windsor, Carole Miller, Ian and Olivia Bennett, Rich Bond, Helen and Joel Blackman, Anne and Rosie and Panda Marks, Lurch Priscott, Tony and Joe Wright, Jon Lambert, Chris Reed, Charlie Greenway, Leroy Thommen, Lucy Middleton, Lamorna Lane, Will Hartnoll, Chopper Kirby - with an age range between 13 and 62 the Annual Bay2Bay Saunton to Croyde Club swim proves just how inclusive our great club really is! A perfect, smooth ocean swim with the greatest number of participants yet. And a big thanks to Sam Day, Jed Hulme and Holly Greenway covering IRB safety with our beautiful new boat, and Lyn and Phil Strahan, Paul Trueman, Jack Middleton, Alf Reed, Jordan Raymond and Seb Latham on a flotilla of rescue boards.
2011 Devon Ocean Nippers - Results
Everyone had a great day thanks to everyones participation. There were some great personal and team performances. Congratulations to the Nippers for their brilliant sportsmanship, the youth for their safety cover in the sea and all the parents and grandparents who helped - it wouldn’t happen without everyone pulling together. We are really proud of all of you - especially all the children who competed for the first time you were all a credit to the club.
We came 3rd overall with 811 points. Sea Events: 1st Woolacombe 778 points, 2nd Saunton 646 points, 3rd Croyde 585 points, 4th Bideford 228 points Beach Events: 1st Saunton 594 points, 2nd Woolacombe 563 points, 3rd Croyde 246 points, 4th Bideford 202 points Overall: 1st Woolacombe 1341points, 2nd Saunton 1240 points, 3rd Croyde 811 points, 4th Bideford 430 points
GOLD -Taylor Duff 1, Sebastian Mepsted 3, Millie Hood 3, Erin Hall 3, Jon Braund-Bond 1, Millie Edge 1, Sam Taylor 1, Zac Baker 1, Lauren Short 1, Hannah Hatton 1
SILVER - Taylor Duff 5, Sebastian Mepsted 1, Millie Hood 1, Erin Hall 1, Alice Hood 4, Jon Braund -Bond 2, Millie Edge 2, Matthew Hartnoll 3, Sam Taylor 1, Jody Stainer 4, Sam Nevill 1, Charlie Taylor 1, Charlie Edge 1, Nathan Pollard 1, Ben Hatton 2, Jack Tapscott 1,
BRONZE - Taylor Duff 2, Sebastian Mepsted 1, Millie Hood 1, Erin Hall 1, Alice Hood 1, Jon Braund -Bond 1, Millie Edge1, Sam Taylor 2, Zac Baker 2, Sam Nevill 1, Lauren Short 2,Alfie Stone 2, Charlie Taylor 2, Annabelle Franklin 1, Rosie Lambert 1, Rez Thommen 3, Holly Nevill 1, Nicole Short 1, Sian Lewis 1, Olivia Bennett 1,William Gale 1, Nathan Pollard 1, Ryan Griggs 1, Phoebe Hulme 1, Jake Hulme 1, Also a big thank you to Chris Reed and family at Reed Chill Cheater Ltd who gave us some smart new competition hats.
Other Members of the team were; Lochlan Davies, Jasmine Wilson, Alice Dowling, Cato Thommen, Ellie Harris, Harry Dowling, Madelaine Harrison, Jai Priscott, Evie Preston, Max Mepsted, Rachael Cooper, Oscar Adams, Harry Tapscott, Emily Kalber, Harry Shaddick.
A big thank you to Chris Reed and family at Reed Chill Cheater Ltd who gave us our smart new competition hats.
UKSRL Round 2 Report - SAUNTON (Appledore)
Croyde Cobras take to the water...
The second round of the UK Surfboat League came to North Devon with a scheduled event at Saunton .
However, due to 2m storm surf with big onshore winds and a building swell, the event was unfortunately moved to the estuary for safety reasons.
Although not ideal conditions the races went ahead with the newly formed Croyde SLSC ladies crew - THE COBRAS having their first outing. They made it to the finals on their first outing, with the mens crew The Kangaroos missing their final by one point!
Next round is in Watergate Bay on the 9th July with the racing returning to Saunton for the UK Open on the 30th July
Ladies crew, Linda Jenkins, Liz Greenway, Teresa Davies, Jane Sharkey , Simone Croker and Carole Miller
Mens crew , Chris Lane, Sam Day, Steve Griggs , James Hood
Sweeps , Andy Bray & Chris Lane
UKSRL Round 1 Report - PORTHCAWL
by Chris Lane
The Croyde Kangaroos did well after a languid winter building up fat reserves for the coming onslaught. In a break from "normal" Kangaroo procedure we went for a quick warm up before our 1st race. 50 Metres out in a howling gale with the boat full of water we realised why we knocked this warming-up rubbish on the head!
The 1st heat didn’t disappoint and again we were soon up to the gunwales with water, beasting out to the 400m buoy turn. Just missing a peach of a wave after the turn we had to slog the 400m back in, eventually catching a runner some 100m from shore. Heat 2 was much of the same with the pumps working hard to shift the now permanent aquarium we had going on inside the boat. Finally, the last heat…and with it any remaining body heat we had left! Just when it seemed it couldn’t get worse.... it did! At the whistle, we headed out gamely into the now howling wind and waves. We got caught inside by a couple of breaking waves on the bow but then pulled through into clearer water and with a bit of breathing space, we managed to pull strongly out to the buoy for the last time. After stopping for a celebration (Not!), we turned and chased down what turned out to be wave of the day, indeed the only boat all day, that managed a full trail down the face of a probable 5 footer. It seemed as if we had clinched 2nd when the wave disappeared and along with it our hopes of an easy ride in! The frantic recovery of oars before the next wave caught us and we eventually glided into the beach in 3rd place….again!
Thanks to our crew on the day of Sam Day, Steve Griggs, Andy Bray, Chris Lane and stand-in rower - Scott, on loan from Perranporth his first outing in surf - a sure baptism of fire!
Only three points adrift off 3rd place in the league table and the next round in our backyard at Saunton on the 25th June. Hopefully we will be fielding a ladies crew for that one with the possibility of two mens crews? Anyone that wants to get up to speed for Saunton please contact me asap. And anybody free that day please come along to support the crews.....and make us coffee etc.
