WHEN times are tough, we always see Police and Emergency Service members stand tall and lead the way with their life-saving skills.
What we don’t see so often, is a display of their everyday fitness and camaraderie that underpins the resolve they show in extreme situations.
But this was on show at North Stradbroke Island last week where observers gained a bird’s eye view of service personnel carving it up in a surfing competition during The Queensland Police and Emergency Services Biannual Games.
In a week of occasionally inclement weather, blue skies and rolling waves were the order of the day for the Queensland-wide competitors.
Dunwich Police Station Senior Constable Matt Boswell said:
“We were down at Dead Man’s Beach, near Point Lookout, and we had really good conditions for the first day on and offshore.
“The judge was a local Boardriders member and also an auxiliary firefighter on the island as well.
“From what I’ve heard, everyone had a really good time.”
A total of seven divisions were contested on North Stradbroke Island, from the Open categories to the Over 55 Men’s.
“We had two or three retired emergency services workers there because it was open to serving, ex and retired members,” Snr Const Boswell said.
He extended his thanks to the Point Lookout Boardriders organisation for the hire of the boards and said it was good to support the local economy when hosting such a big occasion.
“They offered their gear that they have on the island for hire and welcomed the whole event,” he said. “We got to use the equipment, and they had some funds go towards their junior programs and other projects like that.”
FAST FACTS
- The Queensland Police Games (incorporating Emergency Services) were based in Cairns from May 16 -18, and included an equestrian event at Burpengary and the North Stadbroke Island surfing event from May 14-16.
- The Queensland Police and Emergency Services Games was founded to encourage sporting activities for Queensland Police staff, sworn and unsworn and since 1998.
Other Emergency Service agencies and their immediate family were also welcomed to compete in the Games.
The surfing winners included:
- Luke Gyory, QFES (Open Men)
- Chris Ahearn, QPS (Over 45 Men)
- Greg Aubort, QPS (Over 55 Men)
- Brendon Fraser, QAS (Open Men Longhard)
- Nick Ruane, QFES (Over 55 Men Longboard)
- Tracey Doyle, QPS (Open Female Longboard), and
- Mark Hohl, QAS (Alternative Craft)
