Woolgoolga surf club rides high on big donation | Coffs Coast Water Sports | Water Polo, Diving, Jet Ski and Boating in Coffs Coast

ONCE upon a time, Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club raised funds for a new surf boat by charging the public 50 cents a ride.

The donations these days are bigger and the work doesn't get any easier, so the club was stunned when OneSteel tossed $10,000 on the table to assist the latest building project.

“Honestly, we were in shock when local OneSteel manager Dean McHale said the money had been approved,” boat captain Trevor Clark said.

“Club member Warren Whitton made the original approach and it was fantastic when head office sent back their approval.

“The new boat will take three months to build and we still have some money to raise as the boats are expensive and the process is slow but this is so great.”

Woolgoolga SLSC has undergone an eight-year modernisation project which will allow them to compete on equal terms with their rivals.

“We've been rowing the old boat in comps against new craft and while we've held our own, this will make a huge difference,” Clark said.

“OneSteel has donated to our golf days and a variety of causes and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful association.”

The club has been prominent in early fixtures of the North Coast Surf Boat Series with the Under-19 crew starting the summer with a win and a placing at the Bonny Hills round, while the Under-23s placed second on both days.

And Trevor Clark is back in action with the veterans crew, prominent for having 18-year-old Seahorses grand final star, Neil 'Monster' Baker, as their sweep.

“We are seeing great efforts with a short training build-up and great co-operation between crews,” Clark said.

The club will hold its charity golf day at the Woolgoolga RSL course at Safety Beach on Sunday, November 9.

The event is a three-person Ambrose with golfers hitting off in groups of six after a 10am shotgun start. Cost is $25 per head including lunch, entertainment and presentations. Book at the club on 6654 2111.