Vale Rob Watkins | Bondi Surf Bathers' Lifesaving Club

Bondi Surf Bathers' Lifesaving Club is sad to announce the passing of Long Service member, Rob Watkins who passed away Saturday morning in Perth, in the presence of his family.

Rob will go down as one of Bondi’s most esteemed and successful club coaches.

Prior to Joining Bondi, Rob already had enjoyed a distinguished career within the surf lifesaving community.

Earning himself a national title as part of Cottesloe Open men’s surf team of 1965, as well as open 6 person R&R Premierships with Queenscliff and Manly surf clubs.

Rob joined Bondi in the summer 1988 as coach of the senior R&R team. This coincided at a time where Bondi had experienced unprecedented success in the Junior and cadets ranks, but we had been unable to turn this into success at a senior level.

Rob had an immediate impact on the senior team, delivering a national title in his first year as coach with victory in the Open 5 Man event at the 1988 Bicentennial Australian titles.

Two years later in, Bondi’s 20-year premiership drought was broken with victory in the Open 6 Person title at Wollongong beach.

In all ,Rob coached Bondi senior R&R teams to Eight national titles, which included 4 premierships, two of which included Rob's son Simon.

Another highlight of Rob’s coaching career was training the historic first 5-man team to a perfect score of 0.00 at the 1994 nation titles.

In later years, Rob donned the Blue and White quarters and added an over 70s masters title in both surf and rescue tube ,to his already overflowing armoury of individual master championships.

As decorated as Rob’s career was, the man himself was of far greater stature.

Rob left an indelible mark with those who met him and had the rare ability to do so by using few words.

A traditionalist at heart, Rob personified many of the core attributes of a true lifesaver. Believing that all aspects of club life deserved even attention.

One of Robs unwavering mantras being ‘Club before Competitor’.

Rob was honoured with life membership of both Surf lifesaving Western Australia and Cottesloe Surf Club, where he will be farewelled by his wife Helen , children Simon and Pipa, as well as extended family and fellow club members.

When Simon “ Watto” returns to Sydney , there will be an informal celebration of life for Rob and the contributions Rob made to the Bondi community