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Surf club president Julian Ostling (left) with patrol captain James Alach. James helped rescue Mr Browne following the accident on February 21.
The surf life saving tower at the southern end of Omaha Beach will re-open this summer, thanks to the generosity of the family and friends of a man who died this year.
Wayne Browne went bodysurfing at the beach last February and was paralysed in a freak accident.
Conditions at Omaha were altered after a tropical cyclone in January created deep troughs and shallow sandbars.
Mr Browne stepped into a trench and a powerful wave submerged him, breaking his neck.
Lifeguards and Mr Browne’s partner Jo Watson dragged him to safety, but he died six weeks later in hospital.
Ms Watson says that a friend suggested they start a fundraising page for the Omaha Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
“We set the page up before Wayne died, and then we put it on the funeral notice in lieu of flowers,” Ms Watson says.
Surf Club president Julian Ostling says the tower has been out of use for the last few seasons, mainly because of unsafe steps. The surf club received over $5000 from the memorial fundraiser.
“We asked Jo and the family if they would like us to use the funds to renovate and re-open the tower at the southern end,” Julian says.
“We have already started doing some patrols and that will increase over summer. We will also be unveiling a commemorative plaque at the tower, in memory of Wayne.”
Work has been completed on replacing the tower steps and remedial work on the tower shutters will complete the renovations.
The surf club is also on a recruitment drive for extra guards to man the southern end.
They plan to use the tower to give younger guards a chance to lead patrols.
Ms Watson says Wayne liked to encourage leadership, and despite her loss, she still loves Omaha.
“It was Wayne’s favourite beach. I haven’t swum there since, but knowing that the donations are going back to the people who helped him, and the beach he loved, gives me a sense of grounding.”
