Wow, what a weekend! Thursday and Friday the 30th & 31st of August saw a mass exodus of clubbies (and IRB's) from Raglan and Hamilton (some not too happy to be awoken early in the morning to pack after a hard night out, instead choosing to sing Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes' at the top of their voices), all heading up to Far North to compete and support at the 90 Mile IRB Race.

For those who haven't heard of the race before, it begins at Scott,s Point at the top of 90 mile beach, and runs the length of 90 mile beach (around 100km) finishing at Ahipara. On the way there are tasks to be completed including driving through or around a large island, carrying your boat 200m across a sand spit, running up a 3km hill and removing and carrying your motor.

This year we had 3 crews take part: Bridger, Brett & Shrimpi, Josh, Meaghan & Sharpie and Trav, Caroline & Baden.

All three crews did amazingly to finish the race, which is no mean feat, and I think they even did this without breaking any gear!

The Muriwai A crew completed the race first, however as they had not collected a tag from one of the stops, they were disqualified, meaning Bridger, Shrimpi & Brett ended up with 3rd place. Well done guys!

Saturday night consisted of a few drinks and a meal down at the Far North Fire Station, before heading back to the camp ground for a sing-song with the Ruakaka & Bethells guys.

A great weekend all round, it was cool to see Shrimpi, Meaghan & Trav who had made special trips to come to the race, and it was a good time to catch up with everyone else before the season starts.

It's that time of year again when we need to update your contact details. These are used by both us, SLSNR and SLSNZ to keep in contact with you.

This year, there's a couple of prizes up for grabs. To be in to win.

Contact Sharpie BEFORE October 23 with the following information: (sarah.l.sharp@nz.pwc.com or 027 4 167 437 or catch up at swimming) - Your name (and other family member's names to who the information also relates to)

- Your address

- Your home phone number

- Your cellphone number (if you have more than one, please include all!)

- Your work & fax numbers (if applicable)

- Your email address

SO DO IT NOW!

Winners will be announced in the October newsletter.

Thanks to those who have paid their subs over the past couple of months. BUT for those who haven't yet paid, hope you've been saving your pennies, cos its time to cough up!

Subs are due now, and are: Senior Members over 14 - $40 Junior Surf: 1 child - $15, 2 children - $25, 3 or more children - $35 Associate and Social Members - $20 Family - $100

Fees can be paid physically to Anne, Mark or Belinda, or by post to PO Box 103, Raglan.

Starts Friday 14th Sept, Finish 8pm Saturday Meet at the Te Rapa Pools entrance @ 6.30. Ready to be in water at 6.45! No slow changing. No late entries. No speedos or bikinis!

This will be the first part of your intro course for those wanting to sit their bronze medallion, and IRB operators. Life Guard refreshing will also be held (compulsory if you want to wear your red and yellows this summer!) There will be extra training and upskilling for current life guards There will be four positions available for those wishing to sit their IRB operators prior to Christmas. First in first served!

The weekend will be full of fun and games, training and good times so spread the word to all!

Especially make sure that your friends and acquaintances who want to sit their bronze hear about this weekend.

If you cannot attend the entire weekend, consider the Friday night at the pools as the most important. Saturday will be catered. Bring Money for Burger Dog or Mc Tootles on Friday night after the pools.

Please let Josh know if you are coming, via email, joshadventureboy@hotmail.com TXT or phone (see committee details) I need to confirm numbers before 7th October. A gear list will be available for those who are unsure what to bring.

Note the club will be Alcohol free for this weekend.

On Sunday 26th November 3 teams from Trust Waikato Raglan Surf Life Saving Club attended the first IRB carnival of the year at Orewa and took out the teams competition. The day saw some close racing in small surf and was held as a warm up to the North Island Champs to be held on the 9/10th December at Waihi

Teams included:

Women's: Sarah Sharp, Sarah Amoore & Chiquita Poulgrain Open Men's: Travis Slattery, Mark Bridges & Lisa Oldridge U21: Carl Gilgren Hanley, Carl Shrimpton & Caroline Cave And support patients Brett Richards and Anna Colmanife Saving Club attended the first IRB carnival of the year at Orewa and took out the teams competition. The day saw some close racing in small surf and was held as a warm up to the North Island Champs to be held on the 9/10th December at Waihi Teams included: Women's: Sarah Sharp, Sarah Amoore & Chiquita Poulgrain Open Men's: Travis Slattery, Mark Bridges & Lisa Oldridge U21: Carl Gilgren Hanley, Carl Shriife Saving Club attended the first IRB carnival of the year at Orewa and took out the teams competition. The day saw some close racing in small surf and was held as a warm up to the North Island Champs to be held on the 9/10th December at Waihi Teams included: Women's: Sarah Sharp, Sarah Amoore & Chiquita Poulgrain Open Men's: Travis Slattery, Mark Bridges & Lisa Oldridge U21: Carl Gilgren Hanley, Carl Shri

On labour weekend our members assisted St Johns with the rescue of two para gliders that had crashed in to the on the cliff on the North Side of the clubhouse. With four of our senior first aiders on site they were able to assist the St Johns to stabilise the seriously injured patients before they were carried from the scene with the assistance of the local fire crew and transported to Waikato hospital by Westpac Rescue.

On labour weekend our members assisted St Johns with the rescue of two para gliders that had crashed in to the on the cliff on the North Side of the clubhouse. With four of our senior first aiders on site they were able to assist the St Johns to stabilise the seriously injured patients before they were carried from the scene with the assistance of the local fire crew and transported to Waikato hospital by Westpac Rescue.

On labour weekend our members assisted St Johns with the rescue of two para gliders that had crashed in to the on the cliff on the North Side of the clubhouse. With four of our senior first aiders on site they were able to assist the St Johns to stabilise the seriously injured patients before they were carried from the scene with the assistance of the local fire crew and transported to Waikato hospital by Westpac Rescue.