THREE generations of the Ridderhof family are looking forward to North Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club’s centenary celebrations next Saturday.
“The club is very family orientated, and even a lot of my daughter Lea’s friends have kids down there, either on the beach or part of the activities,” 52-year member Adrian Ridderhof (68) said.
His other family members comprise Kody (2), Ryker (6), Lea (33) and Todd Edwards (37), Jesse (2) and Jamie Ridderhof (36).
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READ NOWAdrian Ridderhof joined the now 2000-member club when there were just 180 operating from a house and small boat shed east of Marine Parade in 1965.
“Since then surf lifesaving has become much more professional, and the club now has a permanent staff of four,” Mr Ridderhof said.
“But even with the most inviting of beachside environments bringing the public over the years, patrollers have often had to deal with just cut feet from the reefs, and there have thankfully been no fatalities, although their skills have been used for nearby car crashes and a jogger going past who had a heart attack,” he said.
His roles have included club captain and vice-president, and chairing the asset committee, for which he received the club’s life membership.
His grandson Ryker, whose father is club captain Todd, was brought into the club’s fold with his first pair of bathers.
“The first budgie smugglers Ryker got was when he was born,” Mr Ridderhof said.
A Centenary Season Launch and Community Celebration at the club is from 10am on October 13, and it will include surf craft, food trucks, music, sand castle competitions and buskers.
Contact www.ncslsc.com to join the 100 Human Aerial Birthday Card on the beach from 10.45am.
“This is going to be one of the biggest days in our club’s history and we want thousands of members, family, friends and the broader community to spend the day with us,” club president Ian Clarke said.