In 1988 Kevin Hoskins from Australia donated a surf reel to ILS that is kept in the Headquarters.
During the visit of the Secretary General to the Gold Coast this years, discussions took place to produce a half reel that would be fixed on the wall in the ILS Headquarters. Around the reel, the framed logo’s of all member organisations would be placed, each logo in its frame.
Kevin Hoskins produced the half reel given on the picture above. He described the origin as follows: “the timber parts would be probably close to sixty years old. The bow comes from the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, the drum disc from Kirra Surf Life Saving Club, the carry handles from Burleigh Heads Surf Lifesaving Club and the metal parts from Southport Surf Lifesaving Club. We call this in Oz a “bitza ” creating a bit of history along the way. Unfortunately they don’t make surf reels anymore. So what you see is what you get.
“Parts chromed, painting and sign writing are my out-of-pocket expenses. My labour was my pleasure for ILS. I enjoyed doing the half-reel for ILS. Maybe one day I might get the chance to see it in all its glory at ILS Headquarters.
ILS thanks Kevin Hoskins for his nice work and we will give the reel the place of honour it deserves.