Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club is celebrating 100 years

The club will hold a public event on Sunday, December 12, 10am until 6pm, and are inviting everyone to come along for a chat and to have a look at their rich history.

Over the years, the club has been a rock for the Crescent Head community and has fostered the talents of many individuals.

Three athletes who stand out in the club's history books are Ritchie Walker, Jon Agland and Taylah Moffit.

Ritchie Walker was the Australian Belt Champion in 1935 and 1936.

The surf belt race involves the use of a surf reel, line and belt, with swimmers racing to an allocated buoy deep in the ocean.

Winning these awards made Ritchie famous at the time, with the town of Kempsey organising a parade for him upon his return. For the celebration, Ritchie sat in the back of a pick-up truck as they drove past hundreds of supporters.

During World War 2, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force, and whilst on leave from the service, became club captain to rally support around the club and community.

Ritchie was made a life member on December 23 1936.

Jon was coached by his father Ray and was prominent in the 70s and 80s. He was a member of the cadet surf team winning the Country Championships. In 1982 he won gold in Junior Surf Race and Malibu, Bronze in Junior Ironman and Silver in Open Malibu.

In 1986 he went out and blitzed the field to win the ironman event by a clear margin.

He comes from Crescent Head royalty, his father Ray received an Order of Australia Medal for his service and is a life member of the club.

And now to present day, the young star Taylah Moffit paving the way for the club.

Since joining nippers in the under 7s she has always been a talented swimmer.

This year she was awarded the 2021 Junior Lifesaver of the Year, an honour chosen from all the clubs in NSW.

She has been the Junior Club Person for the past 3 years, and has also been the Mid North Coast Branch Champion.

Taylah has dreams of getting her Gold Medallion, with her future goal to become a crewman or paramedic on the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

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