Meet the mums on patrol at Stanwell Park
Welcome to part two of 2508’s series celebrating 40 Years of Women in Surf Life Saving. This month, meet two Stanwell Park mums, journalist Liv Casben and graphic designer Paula McLarnon, who both did their Bronze Medallion last year and are now...
Welcome to part two of 2508’s series celebrating 40 Years of Women in Surf Life Saving.
This month, meet two Stanwell Park mums, journalist Liv Casben and graphic designer Paula McLarnon, who both did their Bronze Medallion last year and are now taking an active role at Helensburgh-Stanwell Park surf club, volunteering at Nippers and patrolling the beach.
Liv was raised in the Australian surf club tradition, while Paula had “very little” to do with the sea. “I’m from Co. Derry in Northern Ireland,” Paula says. “We rarely ever went to the beach, maybe a couple of times a year (along with the rest of the country) when the weather was good!
“I actually learnt to swim here in Australia when I was five years old – my family emigrated to Perth in 1985 (staying only three years), and then we moved back to Northern Ireland, where I spent the rest of my life until I moved to Sydney in 2014.
“My dad taught me to swim, we didn’t have swimming lessons back then (especially not with six kids!)
“My family love swimming – my dad has his Bronze Medallion and out of my five siblings four of them were lifeguards in the local leisure centre
(I think they did their Bronze Medallion in the pools at the leisure centre), my dad renewed his every time one of my siblings did theirs.
“I had never done it though – this was my first time, I think my dad would be proud!”
Please tell us a bit about yourselves.
Paula: I emigrated to Sydney in 2014 with my family (husband and three kids). We moved to Stanwell Park four years ago, and have never looked back. I’m a full-time graphic designer.
Liv: I first got involved with surf clubs as a teenager through my high school. The club was in the
Royal National Park at Burning Palms and
I remember the hour-long trek in through the national park being tougher than the training.
I loved the camaraderie of surf lifesaving which I witnessed again when my children became involved with Nippers.
Why did you volunteer to do your Bronze Medallion at Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC?
Paula: So that I could get more involved in helping at nippers. To inspire and motivate my kids – who have all struggled with the beach activities (swim/boards). I also wanted to improve my confidence in the ocean, and to challenge myself.
Liv: I’d heard there was a shortage of water safety volunteers for Nippers and, with my youngest child now five and a recent career change, I had more time to be able to get involved. I was also motivated by getting a better understanding of the beach at Stanwell Park, which I had found really challenging since first swimming here a couple of years ago.
I had been expecting my nine-year-old daughter to swim in the ocean events for Nippers so I thought I should be prepared to do the same.
What’s been the highlight?
Paula: The first week I helped with water safety,
I was able to help my daughter with the swim, that felt great.
Liv: One of the highlights has been taking some
of the Nippers out during board training, which helps to build their confidence. A big personal highlight has been building my own confidence and fitness levels.
Most challenging part?
Paula: Water training when the conditions were rough at Stanny – you’ve got to love the notorious Stanny shore dump!
Liv: One of the most challenging parts was also one of my biggest highlights. It came during training when we had to tackle some pretty big swells. It gave me more confidence to know I can go out in those conditions and come back in one piece (albeit exhausted).
How have the kids responded to mum turning life saver?
Paula: I think they’re proud – it has boosted their confidence seeing me in the water.
Liv: My nine-year-old has been pretty happy that I’ve been out helping as a water-safety volunteer. She sees me do it in the water, which seems to inspire her to do it too.
What do you love about the club?
Paula: The welcoming, friendly vibe. Great community feel and beautiful location. There’s always lots happening to get involved in and enjoy socially.
Liv: That, like all SLSCs, it’s run by an amazing group of volunteers who give so much of their time so that others can enjoy the beach. I also love that it has people of all ages involved on the water, both male and female. Being able to train alongside another mum has been great too. It’s reminded me how rewarding it is setting yourself new challenges
at different times of your life.
