Members of Cudgen SLSC have taken home several medals from the Queensland Pool Rescue Championships on the weekend (July 22 and 23) and will represent NSW at the upcoming Interstate Pool Rescue Championships.
Anthea Warne took home an incredible five gold medals and one bronze. She has also been selected to represent the NSW team in the Interstate Pool Rescue Championships in Adelaide with the competition beginning on Friday, August 4 with the Australian Championships to follow and continue over the weekend.
Anthea’s brother Joseph has also been selected to represent NSW at the championships in the Under 14 age group.
Chantal Luxton also represented the club and placed 5th, 7th and 8th in her events whilst Brendan Piccini competed in his first state carnival and did well against a strong field.
Both Anthea and Chantal will also represent Australia Royal Life Saving at the Commonwealth Pool Rescue Championships in Durban, South Africa, next month.
Lifeguard of the year announced
Meanwhile local lifeguard Jayden Mandall who helped rescue several people on Tweed beaches over the summer has been awarded Tweed Lifeguard of the Year and is in the running for NSW Lifeguard of the year, to be announced next month.
It’s been a busy 12 months for the popular and well respected Lifeguard who not only patrolled some of the Far North Coast’s most challenging beaches but also did a stint in the UK where he learnt plenty of new skills and techniques to bring home.
In season 2016/17, Jayden has taken on a mentoring role to the new influx of Lifeguards and his leadership skills and integrity has been widely praised.
A summer of big surf saw the three-year veteran involved in a number of significant rescues. One notable incident at Duranbah Beach he paddled through large waves to assist three people who were in difficulty after their boat overturned near the mouth of the Tweed River.
Demonstrating not only his knowledge of the local conditions to get out through the challenging waves it also highlighted how calm he is under pressure, waiting with the patients until a secondary boat was able to be launched and return them safely to shore.
In a separate incident also at Duranbah Jayden worked in conjunction with multiple agencies including the Queensland Support Jet Skis to rescue two people who were part of a large group struggling in a powerful rip current.
Apart from his commitments to the ALS, Jayden is also a keen surf lifesaver patrolling at both Cudgen Headland and Salt SLSC where he has been a volunteer for six seasons.
“Jayden is a model Lifeguard that any service would want on their team, and this is a richly deserved honour,” said ALS Tweed Supervisor Brent Lethbridge.
“He has an impeccable work ethic, enjoyed an exceptional season on the beach and is always willing to help out.”
