Watch the full awards presentation below
2020 Category Winners and Award Recipients
2020 Youth of the Year*
Casey Cruttenden – Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club
Age: U17
Casey is an outstanding role model for youth at his club. Given he is still in the age bracket himself Casey is a leader and youth representative. He mentors younger members and has overseen the Youth Leaders Program in the club. Casey has various SLS awards and was made a Patrol Captain last season.
*The Youth of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding Youth Club Achiever. The Youth Club Achiever award is presented to an outstanding youth member (U14-U17), as nominated by their club, in recognition of their achievements and commitment to the areas of lifesaving, training, leadership, and surf sports.
Q. When did you join Esperance Goldfields SLSC? How did you first get involved?
I joined in 2012. My brother and sister were already members but I wasn’t that keen to join, Mum made me go out each Sunday and I would watch and I thought, this looks ok! My other brother and I started the following year.
Q. What is your favourite part of surf life saving?
The sense of community at the club, learning life skills and passing knowledge on to the community.
Q. You were a Patrol Captain last season – what did you enjoy most about it and what did you learn?
I enjoyed the guidance I received from senior patrol members and also passing my knowledge on to new patrol members.
Q. What are your plans for continuing with surf life saving?
I am working towards becoming an IRB driver and hope one day to be part of the Emergency Response Team.
Q. What makes Esperance Goldfields SLSC & Esperance beaches so special?
Our beaches are the best in the world! Our club is a close-knit community which we all work together to educate and keep everyone safe.
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2020 Nipper of the Year*
Hamish Bowles – Albany Surf Life Saving Club
Age: U13
Hamish is an exceptional role model for the other Woodside Nippers at Albany SLSC. He always displays a positive “can-do” attitude and relates well with all members both young and old. Each week Hamish volunteers to prepare equipment for others to use within the Woodside Nipper Program. When given the opportunity he represents his club with pride.
The Nipper of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding Nipper Club Achiever. The Nipper Club Achiever award is presented to an outstanding nipper member (U10-U13), as nominated by their club, in recognition of their achievement in the areas of individual safety, surf awareness, lifesaving, and surf sports skills, within the Woodside Nipper Program.
Q. When did you join Albany SLSC? How did you first get involved?
I joined surf club as soon as I could, when I was around six I think. My brother and sister were already involved in the club so I just came along and started when I could.
Q. What did you enjoy most about being a Woodside Nipper this season?
The new gear! There were new string lines, flags gear and sprints equipment. Some of our gear was pretty old!
Q. You move up into the Youth age group next season – what are you most excited about?
Definitely the big boards, I’m excited to see everyone catch some waves and have a laugh.
Q. What advice would you give to other kids who want to give Woodside Nippers a go?
JOIN!! I would encourage anyone to join, it is great fun and you make new friends. It also gives you great surf skills.
Q. What makes your surf life saving club and the beach at Albany so special to you?
The people, the friends I have made. After the competition, we all just sit around and have a laugh, it’s great! It is a great community to be a part of.
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2020 U15 Lifesaver of the Year
Sydnee Gould – Mandurah Surf Life Saving Club
Age: U14
Sydnee is a valuable patrolling member who has completed over a hundred hours of patrol and water safety service. At her young age, Sydnee has taken on a club office and is her clubs Radio Operator. Sydnee approaches everything she does in the club with enthusiasm and a massive smile.
The U15 Lifesaver of the Year award is presented for outstanding patrolling service by a youth Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) holder during the 2019/20 season.
Q. When did you join Mandurah SLSC? How did you first get involved?
I started Nippers in the U7 age group. I loved the beach and was always bugging my mum to take me. Mum thought that it would be a good idea to get involved with Nippers so that I could be on the beach and be safe. I didn’t like the waves much at the start but as I got older more and started doing surf sports I felt much more confident.
Q. How did you feel about your first year out of Nippers?
It was exciting. I was able to patrol with my brother and dad and do more stuff around the club. One of my favourite things was helping out on the Bronze and SRC courses as a victim. I also got to go on the SLSWA TOAD camp where I met people from other clubs. I still love helping out at Woodside Nippers and Starfish Nipper each week and watching them improve and have fun is awesome.
Q. You did over 100 hours of patrol and water safety service this season – what is your favourite part of being a lifesaver?
Just being on the beach. I love being outside and I love the beach. It is where my family are every weekend. I also really like learning new things as I am still only an SRC and we have some really helpful senior lifesavers that are keen to teach me.
Q. What is the most rewarding thing about being a lifesaver?
Learning new skills that could end up potentially keep someone from dying.
Q. You are currently a radio operator at your club – what other roles are you interested in?
I really want to be a youth club trainer when I can. I really love helping out our club trainers with training but to be a trainer is something I really want to do. I would also like to be a youth surf sports coach for our little nipper competitors – they are so much fun.
Q. What advice would you give to another kid looking to join surf life saving and become a lifesaver like you?
Do it, don’t be scared it is awesome fun. You make great friends, have heaps of fun and learn skills that could potentially safe someone’s life. __________________________________________________________________________________
2020 Youth Official of the Year
Annika Rasmussen – Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club
Age: U17
Annika has taken on a variety of official duties this season. She always willingly and enthusiastically undertakes the role she is asked to perform. She relates well to all, competitors, spectators and other officials. Her maturity and professionalism has seen her given tasks that would normally go to someone more senior in age and rank.
The Youth Official of the Year award is presented for outstanding contribution and commitment to officiating within surf life saving during the 2019/20 season.
Q. When did you join Mullaloo SLSC? How did you first get involved in Surf Life Saving?
Honestly, I can’t remember not being involved in Surf Life Saving, I started at Mullaloo when I was 6, in U7s, and I’m still there now, going into my second year of U17s. My mum and dad signed me up when I was little and for a while, I did try my very hardest to not be there – I didn’t love it!!! I absolutely was not allowed to stop, my mum wanted me to know about the surf and be able to look after myself at the beach, for when I was older. However, when we were in U11s, we were allowed to compete at carnivals and with the help of some incredible mentors and coaches I found that the more I became involved with the club the more I grew to love it. Now I compete in all disciplines, patrol, coach and officiate.
Q. Why did you take part in Surf Life Saving WA’s Youth Officials Program?
I took part in the Surf Life Saving youth officials program because growing up doing Surf Life Saving competitions, I have been surrounded with officials and saw first-hand the impact they make at carnivals with dad and mum being so involved. I have been that kid that has always seemed to be the first one at every carnival, I’ve seen the immense amount of work and effort that the officials had put in to even making those carnivals happen for us, they were always first there setting up, last to leave packing up, and did their actual officiating duties in-between. I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to know what that was all like, to be able to really appreciate what these guys have done for us over the years, also to give them a hand. I also was at a point where I was ready to start paying back to my Club and to the nippers that were coming up behind me. I really liked the opportunity to be there and support them as they start their competition journey.
Q. What is your favourite part of officiating?
I’m not one that ever typically finds it difficult to talk to people, so I love talking with the competitors as well as other officials and learning about their experiences and hearing their stories. Especially the little kids, I love all their questions and excitement. I remember what it was like to be scared of the waves and that HUGE swim, to be able to talk the kids through this and see their confidence build is really cool. Also just getting to know them, over a season, you realise you start to see the same faces over and over. This applies for everyone on the beach though whether it be spectators, older competitors, younger competitors, age group managers, water safety and other officials, you make so many friends. The great thing now, is that I know they will be friends you know for as long as you do surf lifesaving and it is amazing.
Q. What is the most rewarding thing about being an official?
Seeing the competitors accomplish what they are aspiring for and even before that, seeing the hard work and effort they put into it, so when they reach the end goal, you know you were part of the reason they are standing there, you made that possible for them, you helped someone accomplish their dreams today. I also absolutely love being around such an amazing group of people, competitors, officials and more. Surf Life Saving is such an inclusive and tight knit group, it doesn’t matter what club you are from everyone knows everyone, and if you don’t know them, you definitely have a friend that does. It is incredible watching and being a part of a community like this, standing at the finish line as an official watching as all your mates cross the line and maybe only one of them is actually from your club, and even just watching as every competitor stands on that line and hugs, handshakes or pats the back of the competitors on either side of them. Watching as a spectator from Fremantle cheers on a competitor from Mullaloo, the two clubs may be so far apart, but in this sport, none of that matters.
Q. What kind of advice would you give to other youths who are interested in becoming a Youth Official?
Just go for it, that’s probably the most cliché thing I could possibly say, but it’s the first thing I would say to anyone. Being an official is so rewarding and it doesn’t take away from anything else, I compete in almost all disciplines and still manage to officiate throughout the whole season. Being an official, you get to step out of your little club bubble, no more sitting in your club tent all the time, you get to take that step out and become part of the much bigger picture, you become part of the reason that makes it possible for these competitors to even compete at all. It truly is incredible.
Q. What are you most excited about for next season?
At the moment, to be honest, the thing I’m most looking forward to next season is everything and anything. Yeah times have been tough at the moment, but we have to remember that this will be over, at some point or another, luckily for us that looks a lot sooner that for others. During a time like this you appreciate everything so much more. So, what I’m looking forward to is being able to go to training with my mates, patrolling with my team, competing and feeling that excitement and officiating and feeling proud, proud of my club, my friends, proud that I am part of Surf Life Saving and this entire community.
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Gold Youth Leaders Program – Recipients
Available to all youth members, the optional Youth Leaders Program tracks the hours a youth member puts into lifesaving, training, and surf sports. There are three recognition levels to the program; Bronze, Silver and Gold, which are increasingly difficult to obtain.
Those who have successfully completed the highest level, Gold, were presented their award.
Annabelle Macmahon – Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club
- Q. When did you first join your club and why did you join?
I have grown up in a family that has always loved the beach. After moving to Esperance in 2012, I joined Esperance Goldfields SLSC at the end of 2012 as an U10. Since going to boarding school in 2016, I have also joined Trigg Island SLSC when I was 13. I’m still a member of both clubs. - Q. What was the most interesting thing you learned through the Youth Leaders Program?
The most interesting thing I learnt throughout the YLP is how many great opportunities Surf Life Saving has to offer. - Q. What are you most looking forward to next season?
I’m looking forward to getting back to Esperance’s beautiful beaches and the amazing community of country clubs. I’m also looking forward to getting back into working with the younger nippers at Trigg. I love seeing the smiles on their face after catching their first wave or completing their first swim. - Q. How are you going to use the skills you learned from Youth Leaders Program at your club?
During the YLP, I have completed my training officers award. Next season I hope to help train the new SRC’s and Bronzies. I have also begun to learn how to ski paddle with Trigg’s amazing coaches. - Q. What would you tell another youth member who wants to complete the Youth Leaders Program through to the Gold Level?
Your club is there support you. Don’t be too shy to go and speak to the older and more experienced members and take all the opportunities, courses and mentoring our more experienced members generously offer us.
Georgia Moar – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
- Q. When did you first join your club and why did you join?
I first joined Trigg Island when I was 12. I joined because I didn’t want to do little athletics anymore and we had some friends who did surf club and loved it. A few people had commented that it might be hard starting at U13s, but I found it great because all of the coaches, parents and kids were so welcoming and helpful. It really is like a family. And I have loved every second of it since then. - Q. What was the most interesting thing you have learned through the Youth Leaders Program? The most interesting thing about YLP was that there were some many amazing opportunities and so many choices in what to do to get your hours up. All while having fun on the beach and sometimes with friends too.
- Q. What are you most looking forward to next season?
I am looking forward to competing in more carnivals with my friends, doing patrols in the summer, helping the new coming youth kids with there YLP and telling them how great of an opportunity it it. I might even be doing an IRB crew course. - Q. How are you going to use the skills you learned from YLP at your club?
I am going to use the skills from the YLP to help the nippers who are coming into the youth program and helping them navigate through their youth time. - Q. What would you tell another youth member who wants to complete the YLP through to gold? I would tell them to do go for it, and do as much as you can. One because the club will appreciate it a lot with all the hours you are doing and two to make yourself feel good and having the honour of finishing the hardest level of YLP, all while you can have fun and do it with your friends.
Jasmine Noorman – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
- Q. When did you first join your club and why did you join?
I joined Secret Harbour as a Nipper at age 5, I can’t remember why I joined although it was probably because my parents signed me up. But I can say I that I have stayed because I love the club, the opportunities to patrol, compete and be part of the community. - Q. What was the most interesting thing you learned through the Youth Leaders Program?
Through the youth leaders’ program, I have learnt that I really enjoy being a mentor to the youth of my club. I enjoy Age managing the U13’s each week, getting to be a mentor on the crusader camp and acting in my role as junior club captain as I have completed the program. - Q. What are you most looking forward to next season?
Next season I am looking forward to following the U13’s into Cadets, and completing my trainers certificate, and taking the new U14’s through their SRC. - Q. How are you going to use the skills you learned from Youth Leaders Program at your club?
With the leadership and teamwork I have learnt through the program I am aiming to encourage the youth at secrets to take part in all that surf lifesaving has offer, by advertising the opportunities such as the youth leaders program, and mentoring the youth to build up their skills in lifesaving, training and surf sports. - Q. What would you tell another youth member who wants to complete the Youth Leaders Program through to the Gold Level?
The youth leaders program is a great opportunity it gives you the chance to recognise how much you can give to surf lifesaving and your club and helps drive you to develop across all areas of surf lifesaving.
Kali Grayson-Dharmaputra – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
- Q. When did you first join your club (what age) and why did you join?
I first joined Surf Life Saving at the age of 6 with Secret Harbour SLSC. I then moved to Coogee SLSC when I was 13 and then moved again to North Cottesloe when I turned 16. I joined Surf Life Saving because my mum wanted me to learn about surf awareness, so for when I got older I could go surfing with her and not get into trouble. Through Surf Life Saving I have made many lifelong friends and couldn’t keep myself out of the sport. I have never wanted to leave the sport as I would then not be able to see my friends every weekend and almost every afternoon for training. I have stayed in surf club as I have a sense of belonging, that Surf Life Saving is my family and that we’re a community that is found all over Australia. - Q. What was the most interesting thing you learned through the Youth Leaders Program?
The most interesting thing I learned was that there are so many other fields to Surf Life Saving. With the Youth Leaders Program you have to complete certain hours in certain fields and so completing those hours in the fields I hadn’t really been in before was fun and I learned lots of new things and made many new friends. - Q. What are you most looking forward to next season?
Well with the current situation, I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends from all over Australia, going back to training and competing too. I’m also looking forward to officiating at the Nipper and Little Nipper competitions, as I love seeing all the Nipper’s faces when they are having fun and giving it a fair go. I also love seeing the other officials and getting to catch up with everyone from all the other surf clubs. I look forward to getting back on patrol and wearing the red and yellow too. - Q. How are you going to use the skills you learned from the Youth Leaders Program at your club?
By always giving a hand when help is needed, stepping up for any jobs that I am capable of doing and just using the confidence that I have gained to help out. - Q. What would you tell another youth member who wants to complete the Youth Leaders Program through to the Gold Level?
I would tell other youth members that the Youth Leaders Program gets you doing so many other activities and courses and is a fun way to volunteer at your surf club. You make so many fun memories and it’s a great time learning new things. It is also not boring as you are doing different things to make up the hours to reach Gold Level.
Riley Somers – Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club
- Q. When did you first join your club and why did you join?
I joined U9’s in 2013. Mum wanted me to learn how to respect the ocean and keep everyone safe when out with mates surfing. - Q. What was the most interesting thing you learned through the Youth Leaders Program?
The officials course last season, then the journey of becoming an official and radios and team work when on TOAD camp. - Q. What are you most looking forward to next season?
To now be in the seniors group and continue to develop lifesaving skills and become more confident. Also as one of the youngest in U15s this season looking forward to doing Bronze course and then doing the IRB crew course. - Q. How are you going to use the skills you learned from Youth Leaders Program at your club?
Continue to support the club as an official and encourage others to join in from the new youth group. Encourage others to do the program within our club. - Q. What would you tell another youth member who wants to complete the Youth Leaders Program through to the Gold Level?
It is a big achievement, this encouraged me to get involved in different areas of surf and I built confidence in trying new things. It is rewarding as you make new friends and get involved with helping others. You feel apart of something important.