It is with a heavy heart we inform you that Dennis Patison passed away on Saturday 14 November.

Dennis was one of the truly good guys of surf boat rowing. Dennis, father of Jack, was the backbone of the Austinmer SLSC for many decades. He was a remarkable sweep, a brilliant coach, and most importantly, a friend to all. Dennis remained active within the sport after he finished sweeping by mentoring Jack and Austinmer crews, and he was also a race starter on the national stage.

Dennis was inducted into the Australian Surf Rowers League 'Hall of Fame' in 2007.

Photo obtained via Facebook
Wording supported by Bert Hunt

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Today we are sad to announce the passing of one of our great mates. Bristles, as he was known to all, was a bloody good bloke. He was first a Husband, Father and Grandfather and our thoughts are with wife Robyn, son Brendon, daughters Chrissie and Jacky in this especially tough Covid time when families are locked away from proper goodbyes.

The sport of Surf Lifesaving and particularly Surfboats is very rarely fortunate enough to have a Bristles on their team. He was everything you could expect from a leader. He was hard working, diligent, tough, compassionate, a mentor to many and a friend to all. His contribution and involvement in surfboats as a Sweep well into his 70’s and as an Administrator for longer is a lesson in hard work and dedication.

In his youth Bristles was a Champion Ten Pin Bowler and that sport’s loss was a massive gain for surfboat rowing. Bristles joined the ASRL Committee in the 2010-11 season and held the role of Treasurer continuously until he retired at the last AGM in 2020. In that time Bristles was an integral part of the ASRL team that delivered so much in the area of policy change and technology development for the sport that will live on as part of his legacy.

On this very sad news day, please take the time to read a gentleman’s story. Remember him as he would have wanted: he faced his inevitable death as he did everything else with a level of dignity and stoicism.

Tonight, we raise a Schooner of the best Coopers Pale Ale as we share some quite time to reflect on a life well lived.

RIP Bristles

Bert Hunt
Life Member - Australian Surf Rowers League

YOU CAN READ MORE OF BRISTLE'S STORY AND JUST SOME OF THE MANY TRIBUTES BY CLICKING HERE

On behalf of the ASRL committee I am delighted to announce we have signed a contract with Destination NSW for 3 years for the ASRL open. The agreement sees funding provided from the NSW government which allows the ASRL to continue to put on the biggest and best surfboat carnival in the world. The funding reduces the ASRL’s financial commitment to the event, which paves the way for the ASRL to continue to improve our sport through other investments such as technology, youth and sweep development.

Michael Brooks
ASRL President

YOU CAN READ THE FULL ARTICLE, PRESS RELEASE AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION BY CLICKING HERE

The ASRL committee are pleased to announce Mollymook as the venue for the 2021 ASRL Open.

The dates are 18th – 21st of February.

The event has opened up to a 3.5 day program releasing restraints on competition and allowing for potential Covid crowd restrictions.

The masters will be held on the Thursday afternoon and competitors are encouraged to celebrate their event, or rest and prepare for entry into the reserve grade the following day.

The final race on Sunday will be completed at 2:00pm, medals ceremony to follow.

It is widely known that the Covid environment is constantly changing but your carnival committee is planning the event as normal in anticipation for a successful event. Updates will be provided each month.

Photo Credit - Malcolm Trees

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We are proud to announce that the National Team Selection Event will be held at TUGUN in Queensland.

With that announcement, it is also important to note that today the Queensland Premier announced the closure of the Queensland border with NSW.

19 weeks out from the event at the ASRL are still planning on running as planned.

SLSA are in contact with SLSNZ and both parties are keen to see the Test Match proceed in February, even if this means being flexible around dates and locations of both the National Team Selection Event and the Test Match (currently the Selection Event is scheduled for 12 December 2020).

The above said the restrictions around Covid-19 will have an impact on such events.

We will provide an update to the membership on the 1st day of each month.

Watch this space.

Photo credit - Malcolm Trees, 2020 ASRL Open.

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Want to thank a sweep, praise a sponsor, reward a crew or thank a representative from your club?

Mike Tamblyn's Surf Boat Trophies make surf boat trophies to cater to the many aspects of our great sport of surf rowing ranging from :
• A replica trophy to give to a sponsor on boat launching day
• A memento to the person honoured with their name on the new boat
• Appreciation from a crew to their sweep or coach or special individual
• Club presentation night for outstanding crews and perpetual trophies

All our trophies are made from selected Australian timber and materials. Each trophy is individually made to your requirements

Visit www.surfboattrophies.com.au for more information or contact Mike Tamblyn phone 0414 659 701 or email: mike@tamblyn.com.au