Two competitors seize last chance for Memorial Paddle

Words and photos by Coalcliff SLSC’s Damian Lloyd/Sea Salt Studios

This ANZAC Day Coalcliff Surf Club hosted the Rod Stevens Memorial Paddle, a water event held to honour the late and great club member who was taken from us by melanoma in 2009.

The paddle is one of four annual challenges run by the club, and sees contestants paddle rescue boards from Coalcliff Beach to the southern end of the Sea Cliff Bridge and back, a journey of more than three kilometres.

The running of this year’s paddle had been hampered by the wet summer and large swells, which had caused the event to be postponed on three previous occasions. On the last day of the patrol season – after the dawn service for ANZAC Day – the event could wait no longer and two watermen braved the large surf to ensure the event would not miss a full season.

The competing duo were club secretary Craig Picker and Rod’s son and current club president, Leo Stevens, proving they could do more than open emails and run Zoom meetings!

The sky was dreary, the sea angry and stained with the run-off from the escarpment. Leo made an early start through the break, but in true club spirit waited for Craig to negotiate the surf zone before the two of them headed south out of sight from the beach. The weather held off for the duration of the race, but the swell remained a challenge.

On their return, both paddlers had to take a wide arc around the Coalcliff rock platform known as the “Ledge”, which threatened to send unwary competitors towards the rocks. Having paddled side-by-side for the full distance, Leo and Craig were only separated by the run to shore after Leo picked two successive waves to carry him safely into the south end of the beach. Craig just missed both waves and had to get back to the beach the hard way, negotiating several sets and the ol’ Coaly shoredump on his way to a successful finish.

Well done to both entrants for honouring a great club member with their efforts. A special mention to Craig Picker who competed in all three challenges the club was able to run this year, making him a shoe-in for the coveted Triple Crown.

Thanks to Leo Stevens

After the event Pete Jordan played his awesome tunes to thank Leo Stevens for his efforts as Club President for the last six years. Leo will be standing down as president at the end of the season to focus on his growing family.

Leo has been an outstanding president who has worked tirelessly to continue to grow the club during his tenure, while still devoting hundreds of hours to patrolling the beach as one of the Illawarra’s finest surf life savers.

The club wishes him all the best with his next endeavour.