‘Devastating’: Urgent call for help as fire hits Woonona Boardriders
It's just weeks out from their major Ocean Queen Classic
The Woonona community is being urged to rally behind the Woonona Boardriders Club after a fire destroyed tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of the club’s equipment.
The club’s van, parked near Ocean Park at Woonona, was found gutted early Tuesday morning, wiping out the group’s entire event and safety setup.
The vehicle contained the club’s entire event and safety setup, including tents, rescue equipment, a defibrillator, first-aid gear, PA equipment, tables, chairs, flags, a generator, and a BBQ.
All items were destroyed in the fire.
Club officials estimate the total value of the equipment at more than $40,000, much of it accumulated over more than five decades of volunteer work supporting the local surf community.
“This is devastating for our club,” member Nathan McEwan said.
“The entire operational setup that we’ve built over 52 years is gone.”
The loss comes just weeks before the club’s major annual event, the Ocean Queen Classic, scheduled to take place at Woonona Beach on March 28.
Run entirely by volunteers, the club uses the equipment to support competitions, provide first aid and safety services, and help manage community surf events.
No one was injured in the incident.
The club has launched a fundraising campaign to help replace the destroyed equipment and ensure the upcoming event can still proceed.
“We are a volunteer, non-profit group made up of local people who work to keep our section of the beach safe, clean and active,” McEwan said.
“We’re now asking the community for help to rebuild.”
Donations can be made via the fundraiser here:
https://gofund.me/fa4dfeffe
A previous version of this article confirmed police were investigating the fire as suspected arson. Police have now said the fire is not being treated as suspicious.