Eddy Bergsma, the son of Dutch parents who escaped the German occupation during World War II, was last week recognised for his 50 years of exceptional service to his second home, the Fingal Bay Surf Club.

The 69-year-old founding member was presented with a 50-year medal and matching gold watch at the club's extravagant presentation celebrations held on May 23.

"It was a great honour . . . I have received both the Australian Medal and Australian Sportsman's Medal but this means more to me," Mr Bergsma said. "This is who I am, it represents the surf club and the tremendous people I have met during my 50 years particularly as a competitor and patrolman."

The Bergsma family arrived in Australia by boat and eventually settled in Fingal Bay when Eddy was 5 years old.

"The beach soon became my second home and I remember going to Merewether for a surf carnival and watching one of the surf boats get lifted by a wave, hit the sand and snap in half. I knew then that was what I wanted to do."

In 1964 Mr Bergsma and a few of his mates got together to form the Fingal Bay Surf Club with about 30 members. Today it has around 700 members.

In more recent years Mr Bergsma has taken on the role of master sweep for the 26ft boats, training generations of oarsmen and women in the process.