Bondi Patrol Podcast

Steve "Bluey" Larnach is the President of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club and a dedicated community volunteer. A second-generation local, he has been involved with the club since the 1980s, serving in various roles including Patrol Captain and earning life membership in 2017. In this episode, Steve talks about life in "The Big Chair" as he calls the Presidents role, lesso...

The Bondi Patrol Podcast Liz Webb, President Bondi SBLSC, and Steve Larnach, President North Bondi LSC HOST: Glen Frost, Nightingale Patrol, Bondi SBLSC In Australia, support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14.    On 14 December 2025, an Islamic State inspired terrorist attack occurred at Bondi Beach during a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah attended by around 1,000 people. Two gunm...

Bondi Patrol Podcast GUEST: Lawrie Williams (Loz); Bondi SBLSC Long Service Member and Bondi Historian   This podcast is supported by Bondi’s most experienced real estate agents; Richardson & Wrench Bondi Beach – we thank the whole team for their ongoing support of our club and the surf life saving community - visit their website at rwbb.com.au   In this episode, I’m delighted to welcome Lawri...

Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 27: Gareth Robinson: Purpose led habits: Hear about Bondi’s Wellbeing Team who are building mental health for Clubbies    Gareth Robinson is the Founder of Your Happiness Flywheel, a mental health and wellbeing consultancy. Gareth is known at the Bondi SBLSC as “Chop” and is Vice Captain on the famous Baldock Patrol, and a Leader on the Club’s Wellbeing Team.   Chop d...

Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 26: Sandra Fox, President, Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club. Tamarama: small club, big heart, taking the lead on many issues Sandra is currently President of Tamarama SLSC, the first woman to be in this role. She has been at Tamarama SLSC just over 20 years and has served in many roles in the surf club and seen many changes over that time both at a Club level and within...

What does it take to be a great Club President? In this episode, Glen talks with President of Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club, Susie Peterson. Susie talks about her love of surf life saving, how she has held various roles in the club, and came into the role of President ‘by accident’ on her retirement, and how she loves the role. Susie reflects on what makes a great President, from having a vision...

Bondi Surf Life Saver Lauren Tischendorf first woman to swim solo around Lord Howe Island! Lauren recently became the first woman to swim a solo, single session, 32km swim around Lord Howe Island where she faced sharks, strong currents, 25 knot winds and 2.5m swell. Lauren is an Athlete for The Minerva Network, a group that supports female athletes, and a member of various global swimming clubs an...

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Liz Webb, Club President   About Liz: Liz was born in Griffith Country NSW. She has lived and worked in various regional places in the Murray Darling Basin (Wagga Wagga, Albury, Leeton) and then worked overseas. Liz moved to Sydney for work in 2001, moved to Bondi and completed her Bronze medallion in 2002. Liz’s experience in the club is as an active patroller for many y...

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 22: Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley   Today, I’m delighted to welcome Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos to the podcast. Paula is the Managing Director of Embrace Society which is a communications agency specializing in hard-to-reach audiences and in values based behavior change, community engagement, advertising and communications, and creative strategy and deve...

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 21: Lucy Macdonald (Allon) In this episode we are delighted to welcome Lucy Macdonald (Allon) to the podcast Lucy has been with the Bondi SBLSC for eight years with Besomo Patrol (aka 'Bes-t-omo' patrol). And like many people, Lucy started her involvement with the club earlier than that – when her kids were part of the Nippers program. In this episode we...

The Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 20: Michael Hallam, Patrol Captain, Nightingale Patrol   What does it take to become a Patrol Captain? It takes time and effort, but anyone can do it if you have the motivation and interest! What is an unconscious rescue really like? Michael describes how the team rescued an unconscious surfer.       This podcast is supported by City Ford Sydney. Ford have support...

“It was the friendly people at Bondi who encouraged me to join and made me feel welcome,” says Amy.       Amy O’Brien arrived in Australia in 2022 from Ireland, where she was a full time surf life guard as well as water safety teacher for primary school children. In this episode, Amy shares her journey from Ireland to Bondi, why she chose Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, and the opportunities...

“Surf Life Saving gives you Leadership skills for life”   Grant joined Bondi Surf Club as a 13 year old in 1988 obtaining his Surf Rescue Certificate (the same time as Harries!), Grant has been heavily involved in many aspects of the club during his 35 years as a member.    Some of Grant’s achievements include: ●      Four time Australian Champion ●      the youngest ever Patrol Captain at 18 ●   ...

Our skin is our biggest organ, and it’s our first line of defence. Every day, our skin can be damaged by the sun. This can cause cell mutation which may turn into skin cancer. Thankfully, if you find and treat a suss looking spot early enough, your chances of survival are better than almost any other cancer, which is why getting a skin check is so important. Scott started Skin Check Champions afte...

“Always ask questions, always ask for help – and support Movember!” Chris grew up in Sydney, started at Coogee Nippers aged 5 and then moved to Bondi in his teens and has been here ever since; he was Age Group Champion in Nippers and has an Australian Surf Life Saving Title; he’s now a lead Bronze Trainer at Bondi.  Outside of Bondi surf life saving, Chris works in fashion retail and is a Movember...

Felicity joined the Bondi Life Saving Club in 2015 and is patrol Captain for Jeppessen Patrol (the Best patrol!). Felicity has held various roles at the Club, she’s taught 8 Bronze and SRC Courses, has been a Spinal, ARTC Trainer, Bronze Assessor, and was the ‘Destination Patrol Captain’ for 3 years leading the Club’s away trips to places like Pacific Palms in NSW. Felicity competes in Champion Li...

We are all Ocean Lovers! Anita is a positive, passionate and dynamic change-maker. She is the Founder of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival, an annual celebration of Ideas, Art+Music and Actions, showcasing some of the latest innovations, science, state-of-the-art technology and cool ideas for helping the ocean.  Anita successfully staged the first Ocean Lovers Festival in April 2019 at Sydney's...

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Bronte Surf Life Saving Club President, Basil Scaffidi as our guest. Basil has been a member of Bronte Surf Lifesaving club for 20 years.  From nipper age manager, then Nippers President, and now the Club President for the last 13 years.  Originally from Perth, Basil has three daughters, who all attained their Bronzes and have competed for the Club.  Wh...

Cyril is the longest serving Life Member of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club with an incredible 66 years as a member.    Cyril qualified for his Bronze Medallion in 1959 and has held many roles at the club including Patrol Captain, Club Vice President, Club President, Surf Carnival Organiser, Club Touring Team Manager, and now Life Member and Club Patron. Cyril Baldock is one of only two li...

Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 11: Interview with James Stewart: “We train to a very high standard at Bondi”    Delighted to welcome Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Member James Stewart as our guest.   Originally from England, James has lived and worked in Germany, China, USA, France, UAE and for the past 12 years, Australia. This is James’ 10th season at club – he’s just received his “Long Service Lea...

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Chloe McCardel    Chloë holds multiple swimming World Records and has been inducted into the Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. Chloe pushes the boundaries of marathon swimming and what the human mind and body can achieve. On October 13th 2021 Chloë broke the World Record for Greatest Number of Crossings of the English Channel. Chloë’s 44 crossings of the...

Andrew is long service member of the North Bondi SLSC; he started his involvement in North Bondi as a Nippers Dad 16 years ago. Apart from a few Nippers forays as a kid, Andrew had no real SLS background but always surfed, swam and enjoyed the ocean. Andrew has had many roles over the past 16 years; he’s been a Nippers Age Manager, Masters Captain, Head of Surf Sports and now, Club President. When...

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Coogee Surf Life Saving Club Member and Director of Lifesaving, Doug Hawkins as our guest.   Doug joined Coogee SLSC in 2000, and by 2003 he was running the Nippers program – and program he professionalised, grew and now trains others on; he’s now Head of Nippers for whole of Sydney branch, retired and Head of Member Services. Doug has also recently bee...

Welcome to The Bondi Patrol Podcast; a conversation with the people who volunteer their time to keep Bondi beach safe for swimmers, and run the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club - Our core Mission is to save lives, and we couldn’t do that without our 1500 volunteers and an engaged and supportive community, so thank you, we salute you. I’m your podcast host Glen Frost, I’m a Volunteer surf...

Welcome to The Bondi Patrol Podcast; a conversation with the people who volunteer their time to keep Bondi beach safe for swimmers, and run the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club - Our core Mission is to save lives, and we couldn’t do that without our 1500 volunteers and an engaged and supportive community, so thank you, we salute you. I’m your podcast host Glen Frost, I’m a Volunteer surf...