In August 1960 the club suffered a great loss with the passing of Reg Shanahan. Reg was a foundation Member and Life Member, of our club. He convened our first meeting and spent all his life promoting the Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club.

The Advocate newspaper reported . . . “As a sportsman and businessman he won high esteem. Reg Shanahan was not one of the notable personalities of the district, but he will be remembered when many more illustrious names are forgotten. He was fallible and human with a deep understanding and respect for the other fellow’s point of view. This in turn won him the many friendships which he valued more than all else.

“In his younger days he won high honours in athletics, cricket and rugby league, but his first love was always the surf club. Reg convened the first meeting of the Coffs Harbour Surf Club and was the foundation secretary. The past 37 years he has shepherded the club through many stormy periods. Life membership of the surf Association was conferred on him in 1957~ a rare tribute to his grand work and the esteem in which he was held in the Surf Movement throughout the Commonwealth”.

His club record was:

• President 1944-45, 46, 47, 48
• Hon Secretary 1923-24, 25, 26, 27 and 1956-57
• Chief Instructor 1928-29, 30, 31, 32 and 1936-37, 38, 39

He was also a Life Member of the Coffs Harbour Club, North Coast Branch, NSW State Centre and Surf Life Saving of Australia.

Soon after his death a new surf boat was delivered to the club and it was appropriately christened “Shan” as a tribute to a great clubman.

Competitors of the 1960s include;

• Senior boat; Boyce Seccombe, J.Enevoldson, J.Fuller, F.Nolan, R.Sare
• Junior boat; K.Horschke, B.Mackney, A.Warnes, J.Petersen, H.Griffiths
• Senior Teams; Ron Olive, Warren Bingham, Noel Olive, Garry Gillies
• March Past; A.Warnes, N.Olive, J.Smith, D.loader, B.Lucas, J.Hodson, D.Llewellan, F.Smith, R.Olive, K.Hoschke, W.Bingham, W.Small.