Kai is named Youth Lifesaver of the Year

Umina Surf Life Saving Club's Kai Darwin has been named Surf Life Saving Australia's Youth Lifesaver of the Year.

The annual awards are held to honour the best and brightest among the surf lifesaving movement in the country, with this year's presentation hosted by Surf Life Saving Queensland at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 9.

Surf Life Saving Australia's president Mr Graham Ford presented the awards and took the time to congratulate Kai on a lifetime of commitment to his surf club.

"Kai joined Umina SLSC as a five-year old nipper and has been passionately involved in the organisation ever since," Mr Ford said.

"Holding positions on the management team, facilitating youth camps, participating in the leadership program, supporting club and community education, including Surf Safety in primary schools; Kai is a role model for both club youth and Nippers.

"He assisted in Surf Life Saving NSW titles in safety and emergency management, water safety and duty boat.

"He has been involved in many incidents over the years, including a rescue of an unconscious patient.

"Some of Kai's many roles at Umina include: water safety coordinator for nippers, club radio officer, assistant at bronze courses and inflatable rescue boat crewing course.

"To support his roles within the surf club, Kai holds many qualifications including inflatable rescue boat driver's qualification as well as spinal management and trainer.

"Kai sees his involvement with the local State Emergency Service as a benefit in the relationship between emergency services," Mr Ford said.

Umina was also up for the coveted Club of the Year award but lost to Coolangatta.

Club president Mr Stephen Scahill said Umina club members had experienced a phenomenal year across the board, with all aspects of club life enjoying growth in 2019.

"Our club has enjoyed continuous improvement in 2018/19 with new directors and executive implementing new projects and initiatives.

"The club continues providing quality community services, ongoing building and equipment facilities, ensuring that the needs of growing membership are met.

"Maintaining long term relationships with supporters, other clubs and councils is a high priority, as is maintenance of professional management.

"Some notable areas are the Safeguarding Children and Young People program, the development of Grievance Sub-Committee clarifying pathways for members, identifying areas for youth engagement at all levels and accessibility being constantly reviewed, such as access needs for wheelchair users," Mr Scahill said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 9 Nov 2019

Donna Wishart, SLS Australia

Website, 9 Nov 2019

Stephen Scahill, Umina SLSC