Irishman rides the gay surf lifesaving wave

As the surf clubs begin new season tryouts, interest from the gay and lesbian community has grown to the point we can now claim the best newcomer as one of our own.

Niall Murtagh will begin as an assistant training instructor this season, having been one of the standouts when he took the bronze medallion course last summer.

A geologist originally from Ireland, 26-year-old Murtagh said he knew nothing about beach safety when he arrived in Australia almost two years ago.

He said he wanted to get involved so he’d know when it was safe to swim and what danger signs to look for.

I had an interest in water sports, I was kayak instructor, but I wasn’t very confident in ocean swimming. There isn’t much of a beach culture in Ireland, Murtagh told Sydney Star Observer.

Most inductees only do one or two patrols per month after getting their bronze medallion, but Murtagh said he went to do his silver and hopes to get his gold this season.

People are relieved when they see you’re coming, they know this person can help them. Even if it’s just helping people back to shore, or dealing with bluebottles, they are really appreciative. You really feel like you’re making a difference, he said.

I also enjoy going down to the club, the social aspect of this great pastime. Everyone is giving up a little bit of their time.

The eastern suburbs beaches hold biathlons each week open to bronze inductees, which was a great way to meet people, Murtagh added.

Seeing the surf lifesavers in the Star I knew I wouldn’t have to hide my sexuality and it seemed pretty open, he said.

Murtagh and the rest of the Lifesavers with Pride group will be raising money at Slide’s Gaywatch next weekend to help cover the costs of entering the Mardi Gras parade.

Float organisers said they had sponsors last year, but in difficult economic times they wanted to be as self-sufficient as they could and will try to raise the more than $10,000 needed.

Murtagh said he was a bit apprehensive about walking down Oxford St in his Speedos for his first Mardi Gras this year.

But it was worth every minute of the camp dance training we had to go through. It was like being in the middle of a rock concert, he said.

We’re all volunteers doing this good thing, the response was nice. And I’ll be going [to Gaywatch], but I think I’ll be keeping my trousers on.

Bronze medallion inductions are held regularly throughout the summer months at North Bondi, Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte surf life saving clubs.

info: More information about Lifesavers with Pride and inductions can be found at lifesaverswithpride.blogspot.com.