IF not for COVID-19, South Coast surf lifesavers would be preparing to kick-off their 2020-21 summer in the coming weeks.
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However, due to the worldwide pandemic, the whole upcoming surf carnival season is in doubt.
Surf Lifesaving Illawarra has already cancelled this season's Sydney Water carnivals and NSW 2020 inflatable rescue boats (IRB) series, which was scheduled to begin last month.
However, there is hope for each individual club's nippers programs explained South Coast Branch president Steve Jones.
"As you can imagine, all community sport at the moment is a difficult proposition, especially with how quickly everything can change," Jones said.
"With as many as 400 people on a beach at one time for nippers, it creates nightmares under the guidelines issued by the NSW Office of Health.
"While it's obviously disappointing to have to cancel some carnivals before the year has even begun, due to the restrictions on travelling between regions, there is optimism we will get some kind of action over the summer.
"We are currently holding discussions with clubs about possible junior events and scenarios and are waiting on recommendations from the surf sport committee."
A decision has been made on December's inter-branch titles which has now been put back to March 2021 at this time, the NSW country championships are still to be decided, while the state titles have been earmarked for February 20 at Blacksmiths Beach.
As dire as the competition side appears, it appears the majority of clubs will still be doing patrols over the summer - commencing from Saturday, September 28 and running through to Sunday, April 25.
In a recent survey to all 964 surf life savers in our nine clubs, 81 per cent of respondents committed to patrolling their beaches during the 2020-21 season.
"It's great to see so many members in our clubs committed to keeping our beaches safe for our communities and visitors, even if the guidelines and restrictions are different than they've ever been," Jones said.
"Just like the competitions, we are currently reviewing our patrols, in an attempt to get back on the beach as soon as possible.'
In positive news for the South Coast Branch, their new building is currently out to tender and they are hoping to start construction by late-October.
"Our next branch council meeting had been pushed back until September 28, where we will discuss a number of topics including the new building," Jones said.