6 members from the OTAKE SLSC in Japan joined Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC patrol members for a joint patrol on Sunday, 13 March 2016.

The 6 members attended a training camp at BMD Northcliffe SLSC on the Gold Coast, and gained their Bronze Medallion. They also did some patrols on the Gold Coast.

Part of their trip was to experience patrolling in different areas of Australia, and through connections with club member Klaus Liss they choose to visit Stanwell Park where they patrolled with Patrol Captain Karl Weber, Vice Captain Rod Hampson and other members of Patrol 2. Later in the day they patrolled with Patrol 3 and Club Captain Stephanie McGuiness. By all reports they were a great asset to both patrols. Before the flags went up the group also participated in a Bronze Medallion Training Session.

They are all extremely fit and capable life savers, but were not big fans of the cooler ocean temperatures that we have at the moment.

While in Sydney the group visited Bondi Beach and the Sydney Aquatic Centre.

Thanks to Patrol 2 and 3 for making Akira Aruga, Moeko Furukawa, Ryoma Fukasawa, Shota Nakasaku, Takaaki Ishiwatari, and Wataru Himeno all feel welcome at Stanwell Park.

If members are ever travelling to Japan, reciprocal arrangements can be made for you to patrol with OTAKE SLSC.