Family name continues at surf club

Feeling the sand between their toes, the warmth of the sun, and the salt on their skin are just a few of the reasons the Bevan family enjoy beachside living.

Robyn and Bill Bevan’s lifestyle has centred on the beach since the two became members of the Warnbro Surf Life Saving Club — now the Secret Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club — in the 1980s.

Last month, the Bevan’s celebrated three generations joining the club and 30 years as members.

With many treasured memories of watching their four children climb the ranks of the club and compete, Mrs Bevan said it was now a blessing to see their six-year-old granddaughter Kirra enjoying the water.

“It is an amazing feeling, you don’t realise time goes so fast and then all of a sudden it has been 30 years and your granddaughter is there,” she said.

Mrs Bevan said she and her husband discovered the club during the 1983-84 season and completed training to become qualified lifesavers.

“It is a challenge and it is fantastic, you learn so much,” she said.

“Just the resuscitation alone, just to know if someone dropped down in front of you, you could save a person’s life.

“I think that is the best thing I’ve learned from it.

“Even today I could save someone’s life, not a problem.”

Mrs Bevan said over the years she had a variety of roles, but now enjoyed sitting back and watching the youngsters.

“I have been president, junior officer, treasurer... I have had so many positions over the years it is unbelievable really,” she said.

Mr Bevan is still a member of the club’s building committee and said he enjoyed his work with junior surf lifesavers.

“I think the biggest highlight from the club is being involved with the kids and not only training them in surf lifesaving, but I got a lot of enjoyment out of coaching them in the surf sports section,” he said.

“I still get involved in it a little bit here and there, but it is just great to go down and watch the kids perform now.”

The two club life members said they had made “remarkable friends” through their involvement in the sport.

“The thing about surf lifesaving is it is a very unique organisation because everyone is in it for the same reason — you are in it primarily to patrol the beach and protect the bathing public, but then you have the competition side and then you have the social side,” Mr Bevan said.

“It is like one big family.

“You don’t only make friends within the State, we have friends all over Australia.”

Mrs Bevan said the beach was one of life’s treasures.

“The beach makes you feel alive I think,” she said. “Just waking up and looking at the beach everyday and going to the beach everyday and swimming in it, it is a fountain of youth I think — I love it, it is beautiful.”

The couple said they hoped their other four grandchildren would follow in their sandy footprints and enjoy what the beach had to offer and join the Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club.