How a Hobart Medical Recruitment Agency Came to Sponsor Surf Boat Rowers on the North Coast of NSW

Your Doctor Jobs (YDJ) is thrilled to announce our sponsorship of four surf boat rowing crews from the Yamba Surf Life Saving Club, located in the beautiful coastal town of Yamba, NSW. This partnership, which includes providing 20 sun-safe shirts for the Yamba "Boaties," is a way for us to give back to the community at a grassroots level.

We value the role that surf clubs play in keeping coastal communities safe and ready for emergencies, and we’re proud to support the Yamba ‘Boaties’ teams as they compete throughout the 2024/2025 season.

Bringing YDJ’s Support to the North Coast of NSW

While YDJ’s roots are in Tasmania, we have a diverse team with staff working remotely from home offices across four states—Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. This interstate reach is how our connection to the Yamba Surf Life Saving Club came to be. One of our Recruitment Consultants, Leaha, lives on the North Coast of NSW and has a long-standing involvement with the club through her children.

Long story – short!

Leaha looks after our Hospital Division and has been part of the Yamba Surf Life Saving Club since relocating to the area from Western NSW. Raised on a dairy farm by the ocean in Gerringong, Leaha has always been a passionate ocean lover. When she moved her young family to the coast from Western NSW, she was determined that her children would become confident swimmers with a deep respect for the ocean. Her goal was to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to be safe in the water later in their teen years, whether surfing, fishing, or just enjoying the beach with friends.

Leaha says that her two sons started as little Nippers, and are now active patrolling members of the Yamba SLSC, giving back to the community and club that put time & knowledge, into them when they were younger.

Introducing the U19’s ‘Wet Sponges’

Last season, Yamba SLSC introduced an under-19s surf boat rowing team, and Leaha’s boys jumped at the chance to get involved. Surf boat rowing is a high-adrenaline sport that only a few are daring enough to try, as it combines extreme physical demands with the unpredictability of the ocean.

The four boys aged from 16 to 19, unanimously agreed that the name "Wet Sponges" would be the perfect fit for their crew. The name captures both the fun and the gritty reality of surf boat rowing.

Boaties face choppy conditions and powerful waves, testing their trust in their crew and their “sweep” to navigate the boat safely.

When conditions get gnarly, the crew’s courage, grit, and teamwork are put to the ultimate test. Their mission? To stay in the boat, cross the finish line first, and—most importantly—come back unscathed!

The Origins and Evolution of Surf Boat Rowing: From Lifesaving to Competitive Sport

Surf boat rowing has deep roots in Australia’s coastal history, originating from the life-saving efforts of early 20th-century surf lifesaving clubs. The sport began as a practical response to the need for sturdy boats that could navigate through powerful surf to rescue swimmers in distress.

By the 1940s, surf boat rowing had evolved from a purely rescue-focused activity into a competitive sport. Competitions began to spring up among surf lifesaving clubs along Australia’s east coast, as teams challenged each other to race through breaking waves and reach the shore first. In 1946, surf boat racing officially became a recognized event at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, cementing its place in Australia’s beach culture.

Supporting Ocean Safety and Community Spirit

At YDJ, we are proud to support initiatives that strengthen communities—whether through healthcare or, in this case, surf lifesaving. We believe in the power of community spirit and the role it plays in keeping our beaches safe.

The Yamba Boaties will be competing in the North Coast Surf Boat series, Country titles, and the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. Stay tuned for updates throughout the season as we follow their exciting journey, from the thrills to the spills. We wish the Yamba Boaties all the best and are cheering them on every step of the way.

If you're a doctor involved with Surf Life Saving Australia and happen to spot the Yamba Boaties sporting their white YDJ sun shirts between races, don’t hesitate to say hello! They’ll appreciate the connection, and it’s always great to meet fellow supporters of the surf lifesaving community. Whether you're there to cheer them on or just passing by, a friendly greeting goes a long way in building the camaraderie that makes surf lifesaving so special.