john.robert_mcpherson
36 Palm Beach (Qld) SLSC training Indonesians in surf reel and belt, Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia. September 1977
36 Palm Beach (Qld) SLSC training Indonesians in surf reel and belt, Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia. September 1977
For our trainees who were good swimmers the hard work began with surf reel and belt training. This work requires not only strength and stamina, but also precise and disciplined drill procedures.
By far the tallest and strongest Indonesian I have met was Ida Bagus Garuda Pujarsa. He was a giant among his compatriots. Garuda is shown in this photograph performing his signature trick of carrying another man on his shoulders. In this case it was Barry Magnus who was far from a lightweight. Even more remarkable than Garduda's stature and strength was his character. He was truly a man of integrity and principle who carried himself with a confident dignity. Garuda had held a commission in the Indonesian navy, but on a matter of honour had felt obliged to resign. That Garuda held himself to high and dignified standards was unsurprising. His grandfather had been the preeminent Brahmin on Bali and a man held in some reverence. Garuda had inherited no small amount of whatever charisma his grandfather possessed.
Garuda was an adventurous soul, trying his hand at rice cultivation and prawn culture in East Java, and even worked oilrigs in Aceh on Sumatra. He was forever battling bureaucracy and was confident to attempt most ventures. Why not then learn to be a surf lifesaver? Why not indeed. Garuda was a very apt pupil and became a first rate lifesaver.
36 Palm Beach (Qld) SLSC training Indonesians in surf reel and belt, Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia. September 1977
36 Palm Beach (Qld) SLSC training Indonesians in surf reel and belt, Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia. September 1977
For our trainees who were good swimmers the hard work began with surf reel and belt training. This work requires not only strength and stamina, but also precise and disciplined drill procedures.
By far the tallest and strongest Indonesian I have met was Ida Bagus Garuda Pujarsa. He was a giant among his compatriots. Garuda is shown in this photograph performing his signature trick of carrying another man on his shoulders. In this case it was Barry Magnus who was far from a lightweight. Even more remarkable than Garduda's stature and strength was his character. He was truly a man of integrity and principle who carried himself with a confident dignity. Garuda had held a commission in the Indonesian navy, but on a matter of honour had felt obliged to resign. That Garuda held himself to high and dignified standards was unsurprising. His grandfather had been the preeminent Brahmin on Bali and a man held in some reverence. Garuda had inherited no small amount of whatever charisma his grandfather possessed.
Garuda was an adventurous soul, trying his hand at rice cultivation and prawn culture in East Java, and even worked oilrigs in Aceh on Sumatra. He was forever battling bureaucracy and was confident to attempt most ventures. Why not then learn to be a surf lifesaver? Why not indeed. Garuda was a very apt pupil and became a first rate lifesaver.