ISSUE 11
- Beth Landon
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Learn more about becoming involved in the Bluebottle Watch program to help Surf Lifesaving Australia research bluebottles. Our members have been off competing in a variety of carnivals, read this issue to learn more about their successes.
GENERAL NEWS
BLUEBOTTLE WATCH
For many, driving to their local beach is the best way to relax and enjoy their break free from the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, the sting of a bluebottle is certainly one way to jolt back into reality.Â
Luckily, Surf Life Saving Australia is partnering with Griffith University and their Sea Jellies lab at Sea World, Seatech (University of Toulon, France), the Bureau of Meteorology, and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, to work towards developing a better way to avoid hurting these marine creatures. The program, Bluebottle Watch, intends to gather important information about bluebottles to then be developed into a prediction tool to be used by the public. This will consequently reduce the number of stings treated by surf lifesavers, allowing them to put more time towards saving lives.Â
Bluebottle Watch is calling on anyone to become a citizen scientist, to help them record and research these bluebottles. Â
If you see a bluebottle on the beach, simply take a photo and upload it to the iNaturalist platform. Once you have joined the project, you will be able to add an estimate of the abundance, the size and learn how to identify the handedness of the bluebottle.Â
To find out more and register a bluebottle, click here.
MOMENTS ON PATROL
8/2/2026
Unfortunately, due to the weather, Nippers was cancelled and the beach was closed. Thankfully, this did not stop our lifesavers from competing in the Birch, Mulligan and Queen/King of the Hill.
SPORT
Over the last months, members from our surf club have been competing in a variety of home and away carnivals.Â
On February 8, our competitors arrived at Port Kembla beach all warmed up and ready to compete in the Birch, Mulligan and Queen/King of the Hill.
In the Birch swim, Angelo Zadel took home gold only falling -0.72 seconds off his nominated time!Â
The competitors then walked to the beach to compete in the Mulligan swim, where Alex Pozzer came first, only being +3 seconds off his nominated time.Â
After a two hour break, it was time for the anticipated Queen and King of the Hill event. For the girls, Ruby Peterlin came first, with Delilah Calleja in second place. For the boys, Alex Pozzer came first for his fifth time in a row, followed closely by Angelo Zadel.
Our rowing teams have had a huge amount of success as well! In Swansea Belmont at the Australian Short Course Carnival, the Port Kembla Knuckles came in 4th place. The open women's team, the Port Kembla Parasites, came 2nd place.Â
Our teams then competed in several selection carnivals where the Port Kembla Parasites once again took home 2nd place at the North Cronulla NSW Selection Carnival. The reserve male team, the Port Kembla Blue, took home 4th place at the NSW Selection Carnival at North Steyne Beach.Â
The Port Kembla Parasites then took to Collaroy for the NSW Selection Carnival, where they came 1st. This result means they will represent NSW at the interstate championship on February 13, at Wanda Beach!
COMING UP...
15/2/2026Â - Patrol 1 (9:00 am - 1:30pm) & Patrol 2 (1:30 pm - 6:00 pm)
22/2/2026Â -Â Patrol 3 (9:00 am - 1:30pm) & Patrol 4 (1:30 pm - 6:00 pm)