Bondi Patrol Podcast: Episode 12: Interview with Cyril Baldock OAM

Bondi Patrol Podcast

Cyril is the longest serving Life Member of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club with an incredible 66 years as a member.

Cyril qualified for his Bronze Medallion in 1959 and has held many roles at the club including Patrol Captain, Club Vice President, Club President, Surf Carnival Organiser, Club Touring Team Manager, and now Life Member and Club Patron. Cyril Baldock is one of only two living life members to have a patrol named in his honor.

Cyril’s achievements in surf and ocean competition swimming is a very long list that runs to three pages, so I can’t list them all here, I’ll just mention that he’s been an Ocean Swim Champion at the Australian Masters, and at the World Lifesaving Championships, he’s swum the English Channel twice, first at the age of 41, then the second time at aged 70, giving him the World Record as the Channel’s oldest swimmer.

Cyril has served the surf life saving community to the highest degree, through numerous surf rescues, training and coaching, through his own sporting achievements, locally, around Australia and internationally. Cyril has been deeply involved in charity fundraising, including for the Bondi club. In 2020, in recognition For all his great work, and his many many achievements, Cyril was awarded an OAM; Order of Australia Medal – The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens for outstanding achievement and service to the community.

In this episode we discuss:

1. The role of Club Patron

2. What’s changed in Cyril’s 66 years of Membership (belt, line & reel, women in the club etc)

3. The importance of club competitions (physical fitness, mental wellness)

4. Example of a rescue at Bondi

5. How to train, keep fit and stay fit as a Club member

6. Cyril’s OAM supported by Dawn Fraser

7. Being a volunteer and being a sports competitor

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Bondi Patrol Podcast

SLSA has over 180 thousand members and over 300 affiliated Surf Life Saving clubs, this the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. We exist to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities.

At Bondi, we work hard to ensure ‘no lives lost between the flags at Bondi’ -Sadly over 300 lives were lost at Australian beaches last year– So please, swim at a patrolled beach and swim between the flags.

You can learn more at www.bondisurfclub.com