COOCHIEMUDLO Island might not have any surf but it has the swell Chloe McGrath.
The 20-year-old is competing in the Summer Surf Girl competition to boost the island’s surf life saving club’s profile and help top-up its funds.
She is one of 11 women entered into the contest, which is aimed at helping its young, female members build-up confidence ahead of their careers.
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Contestants must raise money for their club. Prizes will be handed out to the competition’s overall winner, its runner-up, highest fundraiser and the most innovative entrant.
Competitors will be judged in May on their skills related to water rescues, speech delivery and team work.
Personality is also scored, as is the ability to present information to large groups of people from different backgrounds.
North Stradbroke Island will be represented by Samantha Lavery, a Cleveland woman whose grandfather was a founding member of its club about seventy years ago.
Chloe, who joined Coochie’s club about a decade ago, is the second person to represent the small island in the competition.
Coochie is surrounded by sheltered waters but the club was still kept busy with first-aid calls, Chloe said.
The island is popular with tourists, boaties and jetskiers, which could sometimes put pressure on the island’s first responders.
“We are the first place anyone on the island comes to as there are no other emergency services based on the island until paramedics come across on the ferry and or barge,” she said.
Club members also needed to remain vigilant during patrols to shallow water accidents, which were risked by people jumping off the jetty.
“When things go wrong, they go very wrong,” she said.
“(We) are constantly sitting on the edge of our seats watching jetty jumpers take risk after risk, not listening to our concerns ... especially at low tide.”
Three fundraisers have been planned by Chloe, of Redland Bay, with help from the club’s committee.
Money raised will be used by the club on rescue equipment, member training and facility maintenance.
A golf day is planned for Saturday, March 17. Tickets are $40 per player for a day of fun which begins at 8am at 326-344 Victoria Parade.
Food and drinks are offered at the club’s red and yellow dinner on April 27. The inaugural three-course dinner is $70 per head and is at the Victoria Point Sharks Club from 6pm.
Emergency demonstrations, games and raffles have also been organised for an emergency services day on May 5 at Raby Bay.
Donations can be made to Chloe’s Summer Surf Girl campaign here.
For more information, visit Coochiemudlo Island Surf Life Saving Club’s Facebook page.
