Adam Hoes – AoE Winner Profile

Our Lifesaver of the Year, Adam Hoes, grew up in Wagin, a Wheatbelt town at the heart of the Great Southern, 180km from the nearest beach. It was on moving to Bunbury with his family that the country boy described finding his real sea change, joining surf lifesaving at the age of 13.

Adam, who is now 25 and has been part of the surf lifesaving movement for almost half of his life, has performed more than 1,800 patrol hours and jokes about “living” at the Club as he dedicates the best part of his time to seeing his club, and surf lifesaving, expand and flourish.

We spoke to Adam to find out a little more about the country boy who found his home at the beach saving lives and building his local community.

Q. When and why did you join surf lifesaving?
A. I first joined surf lifesaving at the age of 13. I remember my father’s stories from his youth, when he was a member of North Cottesloe SLSC and I decided to approach Bunbury SLSC, where I was welcomed with open arms.

At that point, it opened the door to the surf lifesaving family, where I found myself at the beach every day, and loved every minute. The benefit of this was that I could also give back to the local community.

After my time at Bunbury, I moved to Rockingham and joined Secret Harbour SLSC, where I strived, achieved and gained experience. After many years with Secret Harbour, Mandurah were in need of trainers so I transferred, and I now call Mandurah SLSC home.

Q. What do you do outside of surf lifesaving?
A. I’m an electrician by trade, and many people always have a laugh and say “that’s a good mix with water.” Besides work and lifesaving, I’m actually a proud new father to a beautiful daughter.

Q. Tell us about your club, Mandurah.
A. Mandurah SLSC is located five kilometres north of Mandurah in the suburb of San Remo, where the current club house was built in 2012/13. Mandurah SLSC first established in San Remo in 2003, after initially commencing lifesaving operations at Halls Head in 1996.

It was envisaged then that the club would later set up an additional patrol at Town Beach with a mobile presence on the northern beaches of Mandurah, which the Club has proudly done. In 2016, Mandurah SLSC celebrated 20 years.

Q. How would your colleagues or fellow members describe you?
A. In the club and throughout surf lifesaving members would describe me as a young, passionate member who always strives to better the club and the organisation. I have also been known as an “Ideas Man”.

Q. If you could describe the last year in three words, what words would you use?
A. What a Year!

Q. What is your favourite beach outside of WA?
A. Now that is hard, as Western Australia has many beautiful beaches. However, I have fond memories of the beaches in Queensland in Surfers Paradise as a child with my family.

Q. What is a quote or saying that you live by?
A. I kind of live by two. One is “if you believe you will achieve” and the other is “Can do”. Funnily enough, “can do” is also an old motto of surf lifesaving.

Q. What is the funniest memory you have from your time with surf lifesaving?
A. I have so many memories from throughout the last 12 years but one memory in particular takes the cake. A number of years ago, when our patrol shorts had pockets and the rope cord, a certain member, who was on the sled of the jet ski, lost his patrol shorts in the middle of a packed beach as they went through a wave.

Q. Who has inspired you in your life and how?
A. My inspiration comes from all our members, and hearing what each individual does for their club or for the organisation as a whole. It’s amazing that these volunteers do so much yet ask so little, which in turn, inspires me to continue to strive.

Q. If you could speak to everyone in the world at the same time, what would you say?
A. “Can do” – give it a go, even if you’re in doubt, always give things a try.

Q. What are your plans for the coming year?
A. To continue to assist in all avenues of surf lifesaving and to help the organisation grow as a whole.

Q. What values has surf lifesaving taught you?
A. Team work, trust and integrity

Q. What is one piece of advice you have for younger members of surf lifesaving?
A. You’re the only person holding yourself back from achieving great things, so give everything a go. All the values discipline, and training you learn through surf lifesaving will shape you, and help you to become the great person you are destined to be.