From Stuff…
Sidney Philip Salek: optometrist/surf lifesaver/ocean swimmer; b March 26, 1930; d January 5, 2021
Dodgy eyesight and saving a workmate from drowning in Wellington Harbour proved life-changing for Sid Salek.
A prominent member of the Wellington Jewish community, the 90-year-old was farewelled recently with tributes coming from Samoa and the wider lifesaving community.
Sidney Philip? Salek, known as “Supa Sid” or “Super Sid”, was a legend in surf lifesaving, and his loss was particularly felt by members of his beloved Omanu Surf Club, at Mt Maunganui.
“Sid … we will miss you at Omanu Beach. Your beautiful smile, your story telling, your positiveness, your swimming, your competitiveness at carnivals and your medal hauls, your good bloke personality.”
Sid started competing in ocean swimming events in Samoa in his 80s, and organisers of an event he competed in regularly took to social media to lament his death.
Read the full article on Sid Salek on Stuff here…
