2018 Awards of Excellence Winner Profile: Trigg Island Open Male Taplin Relay

Let us take you back to the 2018 SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships and the 2018 Aussies, where we witnessed some legendary racing from the Trigg Island Open Male Taplin Relay team!

The Trigg Island dream team, made up of Reece Baker, Dan Humble, Jake Smith, Callan Smith, Blake Allsopp, Devon Caren, not only took out first place at the 2018 SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships – they also backed it up with a sliver medal at the 2018 Aussies held at Scarborough Beach.

The last time a club outside of Queensland or New South Wales came this close to taking the Taplin Relay prize was a Scarboro team, including the great Ken Vidler, 40 years ago!

We had a chat to team members Callan Smith and Dan Humble, who is also the current Trigg Island SLSC President, about their involvement with Surf Life Saving and what the win meant to them.

Winner Name: Trigg Island Open Male Taplin Relay
Club: Trigg Island SLSC
Full Team: Reece Baker, Dan Humble, Jake Smith, Callan Smith, Blake Allsopp, Devon Caren
Category: Surf Sports Team of the Year

1. When did you join surf lifesaving?
   Dan: Age 6
   Callan: Age 6
2. How long have you all known each other?
   Dan: I first meet Reece (Baker) when I joined Trigg 14 years ago. With Reece and I now being in our 30’s and the rest of the team being so much younger we’ve know them all since they were competing in Nippers.
   For these guys to have come through the junior ranks and now be leading the way in their chosen disciplines has been great to see. It shows that dedication to training does pay off.
   Callan: I have known most of the guys for a few years now.
3. Did you all grow up with the beach? If so, where was your home beach?
   Dan: Mullaloo Beach was my starting point. I spent every opportunity I could down there.
   Callan: Mullaloo was my home beach too.
4. How often do you train as a team?
   Dan: We all train our separate disciplines and come together on race day.
5. When you’re not down at the beach, what keeps you busy? (Study, work, other hobbies?)
   Dan: Volunteering at Trigg and working as a Firefighter.
   Callan: Studying and swimming
6. What is your funniest or most memorable moment as a team?
   Dan: Finishing 2nd at Aussies 2018 in the Open Male Taplin Relay. No other team outside of QLD and NSW has finished 2nd in the last 40 years. We talked all season about what could be and imagined what it would be like to medal at Aussies…dreams do come true.
   Callan: Most memorable moment was coming second at Aussies in the Taplin together, because of the hype for the race and the fact that you get to share the success with some top blokes.
7. What does this award mean to you?
   Dan: It’s great recognition for everyone at Trigg Island. The six of us are the lucky ones. We wouldn’t be where we are if it wasn’t for everyone else who pushes us and ensures Trigg Island SLSC long history of success continues for years to come.
   Callan: This award means a lot as everyone in the team has dedicated a lot of time and hard work to get to where we are and the race itself is not just about you, it’s about getting behind the other boys so that we can do the best race possible as a team.
8. How has Surf Life Saving shaped who you are today?
   Dan: To be totally honest, it’s who I am. Everything I do is all about surf.
   Callan: I believe it has equipped me with life lessons and made me a more rounded person.
9. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in joining Surf Life Saving, or becoming a surf sports athlete?
   Dan: Join your local club and get involved. You’ll meet life long friends, make a difference for the community and enjoy every moment of it.
   Callan: Join, it is a great experience and you meet loads of amazing people.