From the Archives, 1953: 10,000 Watch Lifesavers

The Governor General had presented the Freshwater Club with the championship ribbon for the previous march.

It was a big day for the Freshwater Boys. As well as the parade, they won the Beach’s Blue Ribbon – the rescue and resuscitation event for seniors.

A girls band played as the teams passed the salute base where the Governor General and SLSA President Justice Adrian Curlewis stood.

A lifesaver from Honolulu marched by and made history by wearing the Stars and Stripes for the first time at an Australian Championship Carnival.

He is Edwin (Buddy) Adolphson, a member of the newly formed SLSA of Hawaii.

Buddy said he pawned his car to fly to the life-saving training conference in Sydney last Wednesday.

There were few people on other beaches, although the weather was pleasant and the water was warm.

SYDNEY SURFERS WIN MAIN TITLES AT CHAMPIONSHIPS

New South Wales won 15 of the 16 titles at the Australian Surfing Championships in Newport yesterday.

It also won the five non-championship events held in conjunction.

The only event won by an interstate lifesaver was the senior belt race.

Western Australia’s Don Morrison had a convincing win in that swim to retain his title.

Morrison has now won four senior belt championships and finished second twice in six attempts.

Rugby union international Dick Tooth, who finished third, only knew he was due to swim in the belt race on Tuesday.

Tooth replaced state champion John Bloomfield, who retired due to a back injury.

Tooth was informed of his inclusion in the race last Tuesday night, returning from his holiday in Inverell.

Freshwater pulled off a nice double by winning the Blue Ribbon events – the Senior Rescue and Resuscitation and the March By.

This is the second year in a row that Freshwater has won the coveted R. and R. Championship.

Max Riddington (Manly) and Bryan Mortensen (Clovelly) recorded brilliant wins to retain their senior and junior surfing championships, respectively.

Riddington’s win yesterday was his eighth in nine races this season. Last month he won the Metropolitan Championship at Bondi and the State title at Caves Beach.

Mortensen, who had his fifth Open win this summer, also won the Metropolitan and State doubles.

Both won their races yesterday with ease.

The position draw gave North Wollongong an easy win in the Senior Surf Teams Championship.

North Wollongong drew lane #7 and had the advantage of a 50-yard sandbar early on.

The NSW performance was the best ever recorded by any state.

Last year it also set a notable record with 14 of the 16 titles.

Yesterday five of the 15 titles won by NSW clubs were retained by the title holders.

However, NSW champions North Bondi were dragged into deep water and North Wollongong cleared with a good start and went on to win.

North Wollongong champion Tassie Barnett was the first home winner from teammates Ron Vaughan and Neil Stinger.

Junior Ron Morris, the fourth member of the team, finished 12th.

Despite this, defending champion North Bondi won the Junior Surf Team Race.

North Bondi junior Ralph Pullinger was granted special leave from his national service training on HMAS Australia to compete.

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The ship did not reach Sydney until Friday.

“Edwin ‘Buddy’ Adolphson is considered one of the most respected police officers in the United States. During his career with the Honolulu Police Department, he was the only one assigned to the safety patrol and is credited with saving the lives of more than 100 people, including swimmers, surfers and hikers. His patrol vehicle was outfitted with sea and mountain rescue gear in addition to his regular police gear.” (Honolulu Police Department website)