05/10/2026
ANNOUNCEMENT -
Tom Mason has been elected as the new Chair of Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club at the Club’s Annual General Meeting held yesterday.
Tom has been involved in Surf Life Saving all his life, initially in his native South Africa and, more recently, in the UK, where he now lives. A renowned surf and ocean ski specialist, Tom continues to compete at the highest level and is currently on his way to Spain to compete in the World Championships.
Joseph Padbury was elected Vice Chair. Joseph has children across Nippers, Youth and Open, and is an active competitor himself, giving him a great perspective across all aspects of the Club.
Barnaby Gilbert will join the Committee as Water Safety Officer, formalising a role he has effectively been undertaking for some time! Barnaby grew up doing Surf Life Saving at Gylly, and over the past few years has quietly shifted his focus from competitive sport towards water safety. Last year, Barnaby was a safety ski operator at Nazaré in Portugal, home to some of the world’s biggest waves.
At the AGM, Tom and outgoing Chair Lois Leonard also announced some exciting new plans for the Club — watch this space! 👀👀
Lois was warmly applauded for her massive contribution to Gylly over the past three years, including extensive fundraising, gaining charitable status for the Club, developing a new constitution and establishing a Board of five Trustees.
A huge thank you to Lois for everything she has done, and a very warm welcome to Tom, Joseph and Barnaby.
Here’s to the next chapter for Gylly! 🌊
