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WA surf club 400km from the ocean By NICK TAYLOR WA'S latest surf lifesavers are making waves - 408km from the nearest ocean. Landlocked Kalgoorlie - Boulder is set to be Australia's first inland lifesaving club. The traditional, instantly recognisable lifesaver's yellow and red uniform, has been turning a few heads in the Goldfields city. Surf Lifesaving WA found support for the desert club among former members who had moved from the coast. Mine security superintendent Anne-Marie Widermanski had been connected with lifesaving for many years before moving to Kalgoorlie. "When we first started asking around some people said 'What? Are you mad'," she said. About eight prospective lifesavers are now in training. After basic work, they will patrol at Esperance. Queensland Surf Lifesaving tried to set up a landlocked club some years ago but it failed to get into the water. Surf Lifesaving WA's beach services co-ordinator Grant Trew said: "The club will operate out of Kalgoorlie and strengthen the Esperance club. "They will also be able to educate local people on safety." Mr Trew said the latest figures showed that 30 per cent of all drowning victims were people who lived more than 50km from the beach. People from inland and remote areas were also rescued more often than anyone else. Three years ago, with five deaths, Esperance was the worst place in Australia for drownings. Last year was death-free in the ocean off Esperance while six people drowned elsewhere in W A, a 50 per cent drop over two years. NEW WAVE: Anne-Marie Widermanski, Rosemary Dotlic and Nathan Mourish training in Kalgoorlie. Picture: TOM ROVIS-HERMANN | |||||
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Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC |
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