Latest news with #SurfLifeSavingWA
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
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. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 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.'
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Awards for Surf Life Saving WA young stars
More than 120 outstanding young members from across WA were recognised for their achievements at Surf Life Saving WA's annual Nipper and Youth Awards. The awards were presented by the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA on May 17 in front of more than 300 guests. Among those recognised on the day was Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club's Brady Fulcher, named U14/U15 lifesaver of the year in recognition of his service patrolling local beaches over the season. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Brady also achieved Gold Level in SLSWA's Youth Leaders Program after volunteering more than 230 hours during his time as a youth member. He has carried out more than 120 patrol hours over the past season, including the high-risk abalone patrols, and his leadership and professionalism were praised by a member of the public during a recent search and rescue activity. Sorrento's Emma Gibbs was named youth of the year, while City of Perth's Florence Shaw took out youth official of the year. Emma supports her club's Dolphins program for special needs inclusion, mentors younger members and also earned State podium finishes in surf boats, rescue and resuscitation, first aid, and champion patrol. Emma Gibbs was named youth of the year. Credit: SLSWA She has also completed more than 24 hours of patrol service and attained multiple lifesaving qualifications. Florence has been officiating for three seasons and awards judges said she had developed a 'fantastic rapport' with competitors and other officials alike. Florence Shaw receives her award from WA Governor Chris Dawson. Credit: Sports Imagery 'Florence possesses a deep knowledge of the sport, which she uses to make fair and reliable decisions, and her kind and welcoming nature contributes to the overall atmosphere of the event,' they said. In surf sports, Trigg Island's Oliver Browne was named U14/15 athlete of the year after successful State and national championships, as well as co-captaining the WA Pathways Interstate Team. He won an individual gold and five team golds at the championships before going on to win gold in the U15 surf race as well as in the 2km swim for the third time a row at the Australian Championships. Oliver also represented SLSWA in the WA Pathways Interstate Team, where, as co-captain, he achieved gold in both the ironman and surf race and, alongside his teammates, secured bronze medals in the swim teams and cameron relay. North Cottesloe's Edward Wallis was awarded nipper athlete of the year for his exceptional performance on the sand. He won gold in the U13 male sprint and silver in the U13 male flags in Fuel To Go & Play WA Surf Life Saving Nipper Championships. At the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast, Edward won silver in the sprints and flags events and was a member of the North Cottesloe U13 beach relay team, which won gold. Twenty-three people who had accumulated more than 230 volunteer hours during their time as a youth member were also recognised for reaching the gold level in SLSWA's Youth Leaders Program. Foundation chairman George Rogers said the SLSWA's youth programs were integral to helping build future leaders, not only in surf life saving but in their local communities.
West Australian
27-05-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Shark warning system offline: Alert tower at Lefthanders carpark in Gracetown not working due to tech issue
Surfers and water users in the Gracetown area at Lefthanders carpark should not rely on the shark warning system. The land-based tower at Lefthanders has a technical fault and is offline. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said that the other shark warning systems in the area were working. A maintenance crew will be on site to repair the tower as soon as possible. Take additional caution if you are planning on being in the water at Lefthanders. Adhere to beach closures advised by local government rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Surf Life Saving WA. If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and @SLSWA on X. Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website , download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – . Check for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Shark warning system down at popular South West beach
Surfers and water users in the Gracetown area at Lefthanders carpark should not rely on the shark warning system. The land-based tower at Lefthanders has a technical fault and is offline. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said that the other shark warning systems in the area were working. A maintenance crew will be on site to repair the tower as soon as possible. Take additional caution if you are planning on being in the water at Lefthanders. Adhere to beach closures advised by local government rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Surf Life Saving WA. If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and @SLSWA on X. Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – Check for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.
