Young Nipper makes history for North Cott SLSC
A 13-year-old champion surf lifesaver from North Cottesloe is making waves across the country after taking home multiple medals from this year's Australian championships — something his coach said is 'unheard of'.
Edward Wallis made a big splash at his first 'Aussies' in Queensland earlier this year, where he claimed two individual silver medals in sprints and flags events, was part of North Cott's triumphant U13 beach relay team and landed a bronze as part of his club's U13 mixed beach relay team.
He backed up all that success on the Queensland sand by being named Nipper of the Year at Surf Life Saving WA's annual awards last month.
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His coach for the past four summers, Renee Gibbs, said Edward's national achievements in his final year as a nippers competitor were a huge moment for the club.
'The Aussies are a lot more competitive than the State comp ... there's something like 5000 competitors in the Australian titles every year over in Queensland,' Mrs Gibbs said. Edward Wallis made a big splash at his first 'Aussies' in Queensland earlier this year. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / Perth Now
'Edward got four medals at Aussies, which is unheard of really. It's an unbelievable result.
'And the team also won gold in the rally, which was one of the very first gold we've had, so it was a really amazing moment.'
Edward praised his teammates for their success in the challenging conditions that Queensland threw up, which included event delays.
'It was in pretty difficult weather conditions and there were a lot of strong competitors from other States,' Edward said.
'WA has some strong runners and our North Cott relay team got gold, which was really fun to race in.'
Edward is just five years into surf lifesaving, having first joined the North Cott SLSC after his parents thought it would be a good idea to build some water sense.
I love competing. I do get nervous, but it is heaps of fun racing so I always look forward to the carnivals
'Nippers is such a great way for them to gain more experience in the water and have fun at the same time,' Edwards' father Jayden Wallis said.
'It's been an enjoyable outlet for Ed and he is keen to keep pursuing the sport into the senior ranks.'
Next summer Edward moves up from Nippers to the cadet program at North Cottesloe, where he will look to attain his surf rescue certificate and compete in more carnivals.
'I love competing. I do get nervous, but it is heaps of fun racing so I always look forward to the carnivals,' he said.
'I'm really looking forward to being able to do patrols, train and compete again next year.'
Mrs Gibbs and her husband have coached North Cottesloe nippers for several years to help youngsters with their beach safety and to foster WA's surf life saving community.
'Joining a surf club is all about being part of a team ... it's really nurturing, really supportive and just a fun kind of environment,' she said.
'And that's something Edward really understands ... I think he loves that it's not all about him, you know, it's actually about the club and the team.'
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With three minutes left in the first half, the Brumbies opted not to take a penalty goal from right in front, instead chancing their arms again with another lineout. Their gamble paid off with Pollard managing to break off the blindside of another maul and dive onto the tryline to give the Brumbies a seven-point lead at the break. The sides traded seven-pointers in the second half, with a try to Brumbies fullback Tom Wright after fast handiwork from Rob Valetini cancelled out by one from Bailyn Sullivan. Veteran Brumbies prop James Slipper scored with another pick-and-drive before Hurricanes substitute Pasilio Tosi narrowed the gap to one try to ramp up the tension in the dying minutes. The Hurricanes burst into the Brumbies half through a Callum Harkin linebreak in the final minute but Luke Reimer stepped up for the home side to steal back possession and settle the victory. 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