Swimming was an important aspect of our lives on the Tweed because we have produced so many athletes across schools in this pinnacle stage. For example, Chris Fydler's grass roots started at Centenary Primay School at Banora Point and he started in 1983 - represented school at State Swimming Championships, QLD State Surf Titles - 2nd swim/2nd ironman. In 1984 he represented at State Championships - 4th open 100m Freestyle and finalist in 50m Freestyle. In 1985 he had the ultimate miracle in the Australian National Surf Titles - 1st ironman/1st surf swim. In 1990 Chris represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, returning with three medals - 1st in 4x100m Freestyle Relay/2nd in 100m Freestyle and 3rd in Medley Relay. In 1991 he won the 100m Freestyle in the U.S.A. and in 1992 he represented Australia at the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

The best highlight was probably in 2001 when Chris was a member of the 4x100m Freestyle Relay - the Australian team were coming 2nd all the way until Ian Thorpe thorpeoded his way to just beat the Americans by 0.01 of a second in record time. We really smashed the Americans "like guitars".

Chris's brother Tim was also a great achiever. In 1983 he represented at State Swimming Titles. In 1984 he was a State champion and record holder in the 50m Butterfly, Australian Championships (Pacific Games) and State QLD Surf Titles - 3rd swim. In 1985 he was the Tweed Shire Sports Star of the Year, State champion 50m Butterfly, Australian Titles (Darwin), 4th 50m Butterfly, QLD State Surf Titles - 3rd swim/2nd Cameron relay/3rd Board Rescue.

Another swimmer who had his successes was Shayne McIntosh of Kingscliff. Born in Port Moresby in 1969 and moved with his family to Kingscliff in 1972, aged 3, he then begun swimming very early with some guidance by an old Murwillumbah identity, Mrs Conaghan.

After that in 1979 he decided to move to Kingscliff Swimming Club and as he got older he moved to Tweed Heads Swimming Club. He follows a heavy program consisting of 2hr swimming sessions before and after school - morning swimming starting at 5:30 and if he wasn't up at 4am he would be working at the local newsagency.

Some highlights from his sport includes an individual championship from his school at Mt. St. Patricks's Regional High School Murwillumbah, Country School Championships and in the Far North Coast Branch of the Junior Surf Lifesaving movement, which stretches from Yamba to Kingscliff. Shayne was named "Tooheys Man of the Carnival" at no fewer than 3 carnival at different localities on the North Coast.

Alan McIntosh, Shayne's father said that if he keeps up with this sport he will be representing Australia overseas and that it will keep the family happy from Shayne's past achievements.

Cudgen Surf Life Saving Club's history:

On 15th January 1922, a visit to the Cudgen Headland performed a meeting surrounding the residents to form the Cudgen Headland SLSC.
Mr W. Walsh was elected President of the Club and 25 members enrolled for the first season. By Christmas in 1922 a belt, line and reel had arrived from the N.S.W. Association. A dressing shed with a pavillion was started. It was a 2-storey affair, with the lower portion consisting of ladies and gents dressing rooms and the surf club room.
On January 13th 1924, the club saw the opening of both the new pavillion and the new road linking Cudgen Headland and Chinderah. Cudgen's colour were seen as Royal Blue and White with a White Cap. The 1925-26 season was probably the club's highlight. Messrs JF Korsch and W Walsh were voted in as Life Members, and the club also gained its first awards. The Solberg Cup was established in 1926. Mr Solberg, a jeweller from Murwillumbah, donated the trophy.
There were hardly any highlights in the 1926-27 season. 1928 saw a meeting to improve the club. The 1932 season saw the division carnival being held at Cudgen. Mrs W Walsh named the new surf boat "Cudgen I" on 17th December 1934. There were 67 members that season. Cudgen Headland hosted 4 carnivals that year: The Point Danger Championships, The Solberg Cup, Opening Day and the Club Championships.
In the 1933-34 season the new club house was erected under the direction of Mr W Walsh. The following seasons saw occurring improvements to the clubhouse.
In the 1938-39 season there were more members in the club. The election of officer did not take place from 1940-46. During this time Mr W Dinsey kept an eye on the clubhouse.
In the 1946-47 things turned back to normal after the war. Membership was up to 16 and elections for office bearers were held.
The 1947-48 season had 14 registered members. That winter a new clubhouse was obtained. It was a hut that was used for the accommodation of the Airforce during the war. The erection of this hut is near to the present site.
Membership was up in the 1949-50 season. The 1950-51 season saw the establishment of the club's most promising and successful competitors. Tom Eady won the senior belt at the Branch Titles. He then continued his winning form in 5 straight Point Danger Championships, became Point Danger Champion Lifesaver and represented QLD many times.
In the 1953-54 season, the club saw radio equipment bought for beach broadcasting. Improvements to the clubhouse were made but the cyclone in February 1954 caused a lot of damage. Members and locals had to furnish the building in order to save it.
In 1954-55 received new surf costumes. They were full length with a blue and white diagonal stripe on the front and back.
A club meeting in October saw the arrangement of the "Boat Fund Appeal". This was a success as they had raised enough money for the boat by March 1958. They bought a moulded plywood boat and called it "Cudgen III".
In the 1959-60 season, membership was up to 62. The highest since the mid-30's. The club also approached the Tweed Shire Council to assist them with their new clubhouse.
The fist carnival to be organised at Cudgen in a long time was held in January 1964. A big plus was when Cudgen also won a surfboat from BP Australia. Cudgen presented the biggest carnival in the Far North Coast since 1952, with 17 clubs competing.
In the 1965-66 season, the club saw 28 new members sign on. 1966-67 saw the clubs representative, Denise Burke, come runner up in The Sunday Telegraph Beach Girl Contest. She won an aluminium surf boat. In March the club heard that the construction of training walls for Cudgen Creek was to begin and also that Cudgen were the hosts for the 1968 Titles. In October a fire caused the loss of Cudgen III. Plans for a boatshed extension went ahead and was completed in 1968. Cudgen won its first N.S.W. Title in the chariot race in 1967. Concreting and fencing of the boatshed extensions were carried out during the winter break.
The 1969-70 season looked promising with 50 turning up for the Annual Meeting. The new surfboat arrived and was named the "Jim Quirk". A new surf ski also arrived and were both soon in use.

The Kingscliff Bowls Club:

On July 8 1950, a "special lease" with the N.S.W. Government had been taken out for the leasehold of public hand, which is the site of our present Clubhouse. The leasehold fee was .30 for an indefinite lease.
Early history points out that a meeting of 17 men decided to form a bowls club in the area. This meeting occurred on the 5th of June, 1949.
On the 19th of June, 1949, at their 2nd meeting, the Club, named "Cudgen Headland and District Bowling Club" was established.
Here are some of the pinnacles that made Kingscliff Bowls Club a success in its making:
1951 - saw work on the bowling green being commenced and then play was possible in the same year.
1970 - saw plans for a third green approved by the Lands Department and a tennis court had to be re-located.
1971 - the Club bought an estimate of 8.5 acres off Kingscliff Street
- the Club donated for a swimming pool at Kingscliff to be built in the future
1972 - needed Club extensions once again and State laws made it necessary to form the Club into a Limited Company. This occurred in September and the first net profit for Kingscliff Bowls Club Ltd. was 101
1973 - the first evening meal served to Club members
1974 - new soil shed constructed. Also the first year of their now Australia wide recognised "Classic Pairs"
1975 - again Club extensions required and completed at a cost of 000
1976 - donations to the Kingscliff Swimming Pool reaching 000
- 25th Anniversary of the Bowls Club and their protective seawall beefed up at a cost of 320
1979 - mat fees 40c and $1 for visitors
1980 - had to postpone a fourth green because of the Coastal Protection Act
1984 - existing changes carried out to reception, bar areas and included a new bowls office
1985 -programme being prepared for the continuing development of the Kingscliff Street Land
1986 -poker machine income passed $1 million for the first time. Number of directors fell down to 8
1987 - saw a major renovation of the kitchen and poker machine area costing 500
1987-88 - 2 houses being bought by the Club, giving important access points to the Club property for Kingscliff and Pearl Streets
1988 - 26th September, Annual General Meeting saw Mr. Maurie Croft elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kingscliff Bowls Club Limited and the new Articles of Association became effective
- Merv Edwared elected as President of Kingscliff Bowls Club in its first year as a "separate identity"
1994 - permission accepted by the Department of Public Works and Conservation and Land Management and Tweed Shire Council for the long awaited extension, to the Club
1996 - Kingscliff Bowls Club established a nationwide reputation for their "Invitation Classic Pairs" Tournament. 000 on offer as prize money - 000 a piece for men and women. This is now accounted as the richest tournament for Ladies in Australia. In the past it has, and will continue to attract the best bowlers in the country.
1997 - highlight was the outstanding performance from our 2nd Division Men's Pennant team for not only winning the G.C.T.D.B.A. Pennant, but also winning the eagered but prestigous South East Queensland Pennant. Since their performance was second to none, the team was elevated to the First Division Pennant Competition for the following year. Our record in Pennant play had been highly professional and competitive and has produced wins in Divisions 1 to 6.