Soldiers Beach Surf Club is preparing to embark on an IRB re-enactment of a 50-year-old odyssey from Sydney to Coolangatta.
The re-enactment will see two crews in Inflatable Rubber Boats (IRBs) journey from Sydney Harbour to Coolangatta just in time for the IRB World Championships.
“In 1974 some of our life members, including John Fallon and Cliff Spong, did the trip in 31 hours all the way to Queensland in an IRB to show the durability and reliability of the boats,” spokesperson Kate Keys said.
“It was such an amazing and enormous effort back in the 70s and it really changed the way people were rescued and the face of Surf Life Saving Australia.
“We are really excited to be recreating this trip 50 years later”.
The two boats will leave Sydney Harbour on September 2 under escort from the local authorities, then turn north and follow the coast all the way to Coolangatta.
“We have planned to make the journey in four days and will be stopping for fuel and supplies at many of the local surf clubs all the way up the coast,” Keys said.
“We see it as a great way to promote inter-club relationships and we will hopefully be joined for part of the way by these clubs as we travel up the coast.
“Trying to prepare for this massive journey has been a challenge.
“Making sure the crews have all supplies and contingencies has taken hours and hours.
“We are lucky to have such a great experienced team, with all the crew fully qualified and experienced in all conditions.
“We will be following the crews closely with our support bus and will have radio contact at all times, but I’m glad I will be warm on the bus, and not out in some of those seas.
“We will be lucky enough to have an original crew member Graeme Lewis join us for part of the journey.”
The departure will be from Jeffery Street Wharf, Kirribilli, at 7am on September 2.