SurfVest Australia was started in April 2007 with a vision of increasing safety for nippers, competitors and water safety officials in challenging surf conditions.
SurfVest have come up with is a practical, comfortable, highly visible and customisable product that is designed to not restrict a competitor in the water or on a surf craft; but assist in bringing them to the surface for search and recovery purposes if they are unconscious.
SurfVest design is 100% Australian, 100% Australian Made and 100% Australian Owned through and through. They are passionate about our life saving and paddling sports and helping nippers, fellow competitors and officials.
The designers Mark McDonald, Grant Wilkinson and Brett Wright have considerable experience in and around Surf Life Saving. Their experience in the movement involves:
-
Mark McDonald – Swept Surf Boats for 20 years, Vice President of NSWASRL last 2 years, Sydney Branch delegate to NSWASRL last two years, 09/10 Boat Representative on Sydney Branch Board of Surf Sports, Deputy Executive Director of Elouera SLSC last 4 years and Current Deputy Director of Competition Elouera SLSC and former Boat Captain.
-
Grant Wilkinson – Life member of Elouera SLSC. Currently sitting on the NSW Boat Commission and has been on the Boat Panel at 2008 & 2009 Australian Championships as well as 2008, 2009, 2011 NSW State Championships. Level 3 accredited surf coach and the author and chief editor of the SLSA’s Level 1 & 2 Coaching Manual in 2001. A professional ironman for 12yrs in both Uncle Toby’s and Kellogg’s Nutri Grain Ironman Series. Has 72 medals across NSW State, Australian and World Championships in every water based discipline (i.e. swim, board, ski, ironman, IRB & surf boat events).
-
Brett Wright – Involved with Elouera SLSC for the last 14 years from Nippers to present, Rowed Surf Boats for 7 Seasons representing at High Levels, Competed in IRB Competition last 3 seasons, Involved with SLSA development camps at a Cadet Level, Served on the Elouera Board of Management 09/10.
The SurfVests have been extensively tested by a large cross section of competitors and we have had excellent feedback.
If you have any questions,SurfVest are more than happy to answer them; please feel free to contact SurfVest – see the website link below.
Southside Paddlers encourage you to think about your safety on the water and remember the maritime rules for wearing a life jacket
And remember
Lifejackets must be worn:
By children less than 12 years of age when:
- in a vessel less than 4.8 metres in length; and
- when in an open area of a vessel less than 8 metres in length that is underway.
