John Leivers (better known as "Garbo") is one of City's best ever lifesavers and competitors, having won State titles in the boat, march past, R&R, Champion Lifesaver and craft arenas.

He was part of the club's first Australian Championship win, the Junior Surf Boat in 1971. Ten years later he was in the crew which won the club's first World Championship in the Open Surf Boat. In a much-hyped "rematch" of that 1981 World Championship race, the City crew were narrowly beaten into second place at the 1982 Australian Championships.

As well as his competitive success, John served as Club Captain for several years, and in 1984 was awarded Life Membership of the club.

Other activities for which Garb is well known include eating more breakfast than the rest of the club team combined, numerous Perth Pizza-Eating Championships, collecting 'souvenirs' from every place he ever went and never throwing anything away, formation of the Perth International Dragon Boat Racing Club, and as a child eating every snail along half a mile of pavement for $2. He was also a formidable Pillow Fight opponent.

During the 90's, Garb spent hs time travelling the world taking tourists into remote locations, climbing mountains and so on. On one of his occasional returns to Perth in the 2002-03 season, he showed that he's lost none of his skill or fitness. Filling in for an injured rower, Garb jumped into the 'A' Crew for the State Championships and came away with two medals.

In May 2003, Garb was inducted into the S.L.S.W.A. Sporting Hall of Fame.

At last sighting, he was steering tourists down a Himalayan river on a bamboo raft.

Australian Championships

1971, City Beach WA
• 1st Junior Surf Boat

1982, Moana SA

• 2nd Open Surf Boat

World Championships

1981, Kuta Beach Bali
• 1st Open Surf Boat

The City crew (rowing the Wanda boat) take out the World Championship

State Championships

1st placings

1966
Cadet R&R
1968
Cadet R&R
1971
Junior Surf Boat
1974
Open Surf Boat
March Past
1975
Open Surf Boat
March Past
1977
Open Surf Boat
March Past
1978
Surf Boat Relay
March Past
1980
Open Surf Boat
Surf Boat Relay
Open Taplin Relay
March Past
1981
Open Surf Boat
Malibu Board Relay
Open Taplin Relay
March Past
1982
Open Surf Boat
Surf Boat Relay
March Past
1983
Open Surf Boat
Surf Boat Relay
March Past
1984
Surf Boat Relay
Open Champion Lifesaver
March Past
1985
Surf Boat Relay
Open Champion Lifesaver
March Past
1986
Open Surf Boat
March Past
1987
Open Surf Boat
2000
March Past

[Australian and World Championships]