IT’S not unusual for children to follow their parents into any chosen sport.
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However, the Lower North Coast Surf Life Saving Branch’s newest life member, Jim Tyrpenou, reversed that trend.
“I joined in 1996 when my eldest son, Matthew, wanted to sign up with the nippers at Old Bar’’ Jim explained.
Originally from Richmond, Jim was transferred to the area with his work. Richmond isn’t known for its golden beaches and as such Jim had little previous contact with the surf life saving movement.
“I enjoyed going to the beach when I moved here, but I wasn’t in a surf club,’’ he said.
His late wife, Karen had been heavily involved with the Old Bar club when she was at school. So afer Martthew joined up it didn’t take long for the Tyrpenous to become immersed in all things surf life saving, Jim assisted in club and branch activities. He gained his bronze medallion in 1999.
“Old Bar were always short of patrol members, so I decided to get my bronze and help out,’’ he explained.
Jim took the step into administration the following year, mainly to assist Andrew Jones, who was running the club almost single handed.
“AJ was doing all the administrative stuff – he was the secretary/treasurer. I thought he would have been better off as the club captain,’’ Jim said.
“So I stepped in to help.’’
This eventually led to administrative positions on the Lower North Coast executive. His CV includes just about every certificate and position associated with the surfing movement as a member, official and coach.
His two sons, Matthew and Brett, shared his enthusiasm for the sport.
“Brett’s 23 now but when he was about 16 or 17 he clocked up more than 300 patrol hours, They both loved the surf club – Matt’s in Newcastle and he and his partner, Sonia, come up and go on my patrol. Brett goes to uni in Melbourne and doesn’t get home much, but he’s still done a few patrols here.’’
Jim’s been a member of the Crowdy Head club for the past three seasons, admitting the bitter split in the old Bar club that eventually saw the State governing body set in and appoint an administrator was the main cause.
“I was sick of the sh.t that was happening at Old Bar,’’ he said.
“And there I was always on the executive. At Crowdy I’m happy to be in the background and help out.’’
The camaraderie within a surf club is like no other, he said.
“Everyone’s a volunteer and they’re helping the community,’’ he said.
Jim added that assisting nippers become more confident in the surf is another plus.
Now 55, Jim intends to be patrolling the beach for a few summers year.
“I enjoy going to the beach so I’ll be doing whatever I can to help,’’ he said.