Unsung Heroes

The Henty-Charles Clan

Typical volunteer families like Adelaide’s Shauna and Josh, and their kids Keeley and Elka, are the lifeblood of Surf Life Saving Australia.

What got you into lifesaving?

Shauna: I’ve been involved for 35 years! I started in under-11s. I was rowing surf boats when I met Josh—not literally—then we had kids, and Josh finally did his Bronze Medallion [the official qualification to work on surf patrol]. Now he’s boat captain.

Josh: Adelaide women have a way of convincing you to do what they want!

Did your kids have a choice?

S: No! Nope, nup. We live at the beach. Our youngest just loves running around with all her friends and getting into the water, although her competitive streak is coming out a bit more now.

J: Our eldest is a medallist at state titles. She’s very determined.

What’s it like to row out in carnivals when the surf is big?

J: The beauty of rowing a boat is that you don’t see it, because you’re facing the shore when you’re heading out—the sweep does. You just judge how big it is by his eyes. If they’re like dinner plates then you have to hold on!

S: I used to love it when I was in my twenties, I was fearless then. I love the adrenalin and how the boat goes up, then goes down … and then you go down after.

Why are surf clubs are such a big part of Australian culture?

S: Because a club is like a family. It’s the community: doing Nippers, going back and having a barbecue and a beer, having a laugh, keeping fit, it’s summer…

J: Shauna grew up with it and I didn’t, although I was from the beach in Queensland, and my dad was a lifesaver in the ’70s. I only got involved in my thirties! But playing footy, I always thought the guys with a surf background were well-rounded people. Everyone’s a volunteer, and you’ve got boy and girls growing up on the beach together, oldies who’ve patrolled for 30 years, younger ones coming through …

Could you imagine doing a rowing rescue before clubs had IRBs (Inflatable Rescue Boats)?

S: I don’t know how they did it! But the biggest change has been the involvement of females. I started in 1987, and females were only allowed to do their Bronze in 1984. The change is huge. Other surf clubs may still be male orientated, but it’s definitely the other way around now at ours!

Your beach doesn’t get big—or any— waves. Is it safe, then?

J: No waves means no rips, but it gets very windy. When you’re helping an exhausted windsurfer or paddleboarder back to shore from a kilometre out— and it’s a bit sharky out there—they’re pretty happy to see you. And once we had a kitesurfer who got whipped into the air and dropped onto the beach from a height with straight legs. He did both ACLs at once. It was pretty grisly.

S: Then another guy landed nearby just after him, except flat on his back instead of on his legs! Two ambulances on the same day—that never happens! Isuzu proudly provides D-MAXs and MU-Xs to SLSA.

How are 4WDs used?

J: For everything! Towing trailers full of nipper boards, carting stuff between the club and the tower, launching surf boats, for carnivals. We really use the utes.

Okay, final question: Trevor Hendy or Grant Kenny?

S: Trevor Hendy is more my era.

But what about Coolongatta Gold, with Grant’s sexy bronzed thighs and golden locks?

J: Grant grew up near me! His old man taught my mum to swim.

But you didn’t join a surf club until you moved south. Why?

J: I’m a terrible swimmer! Grant’s dad never got his hands on me! It’s actually a good thing that I’m on a boat.

S: I can swim. That was my thing as a junior. I went to boats later.

How much of the appeal of rowing surf boats is being able to Borat your togs up your bottom without social repercussions?

S: Mine comes out as soon as I’m off the boat, I promise! Although my brother was a rower, too, and he was really into it. Some guys just love putting their bathers up their bum.

J: But most people don’t! People come down to try it out, and most of them say, “No, I won’t be doing that!” Ha! We explain that you need to do it or the friction is too much—nothing slides on the seat of the boat like bare skin. Otherwise after 15 minutes you’re on fire. I mean, if modesty wasn’t such a thing we could do it nude.

S: I don’t think so, Josh.