Listed: SA’s top surf life savers and their stories as nominated by their clubs
From a duo who saved two from a sandbar to volunteers who’ve served their clubs for decades, these are the cream of the surf crop. See who made the list.
Lifestyle
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South Australia’s surf life savers dedicate their time to making sure we are all safe and having fun on the beach.
With summer over, we asked the state’s surf life saving clubs to nominate their top lifesavers and share their stories and achievements.
Some of the nominees are life members who have served their clubs for more than 30 years, are committed to the training of up and coming life savers, and have conducted lifesaving rescues.
Meet some of SA’s best surf lifesavers below.
Aldinga Bay
Name: Tan Tran
Age: 16
Tan Tran, who has only been a surf lifesaver for just over five years, was a part of an important rescue which spared two young people from drowning at Aldinga Bay.
While ski training in January, Tan and fellow Aldinga Bay SLSC member Jared Burnett rescued two members of the public that fell from a sandbar at Aldinga Bay. Neither patient could swim and one was pulled from the water in a serious condition, requiring ambulance attendance and transport to hospital.
“Without their assistance with this couple, it would have likely had a tragic outcome,” the club said of the rescue.
Tan started surf lifesaving as a Nipper just after he arrived in SA from Vietnam. He said he couldn’t speak English very well but Aldinga Bay SLSC gave him confidence.
“I have been able to achieve my surf rescue certificate then my bronze and recently my silver medallion in lifesaving,” he said.
Tan has achieved certificates in advanced resuscitation techniques, certificate II in public safety (aquatic rescue), provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administer oxygen in an emergency and provide emergency care. He is also an instructor for VacSwim and patrols Aldinga Beach.
Name: Jared Burnett
Age: 35
Jared Burnett was part of the January rescue with Tan Tran. Mr Burnett is a state team representative with multiple state medals and has most recently took to coaching athletes to state medals.
“I got into surf lifesaving because I loved swimming and competing, and also providing an invaluable service to my community,” he said.
Aldinga Bay SLSC said this season they had seen a “massive explosion” of competitors and medals for the club in all ages with the assistance of Mr Burnett who set up a regular program of training sessions, swimming sessions and being all inclusive of abilities and skills.
Goolwa
Name: Tom Breen
Age: 16
Tom Breen has been a part of Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club since 2017 when he started out as an 11-year-old nipper.
Since joining the club, Tom has received his Surf Rescue Certificate, was a SA Youth Surf Lifesaver of the year finalist in 2020 and gained a bronze medallion in 2021.
Tom is now a lifeguard and has since represented his club at the Aussies Powercraft Team Scarborough this year.
Name: Cassie Wilmot
Age: 25
Cassie Wilmot has been involved in surf life saving since she was five years old.
21 years later, Cassie is the first full-term sitting female Goolwa Club Captain.
Ms Wilmot was also the youngest training officer in the state when she was appointed the position at just 16 years old.
In 2022 Cassie formed the inaugural Beach 4 All sub committee at Seacliff SLSC which works to ensure those with a disability are able to access and enjoy the beach.
“We saw many people enjoy the beach for the very first time because of the equipment and support the committee gave to those beach goers,” she said.
The dedicated lifesaver has had a plethora of important roles which have seen her lead her fellow volunteers.
Somerton
Name: Jordi McMillan
Age: 19
Since becoming a surf life saver in 2019 Jordi McMillan is actively patrolling and competing in beach events.
Ms McMillan is the youngest ever winner of the Bay Sheffield and has used her beach sprinting to spring board her track racing.
She recently participated in the 2023 Australian U20 track and field championships in QLD and was placed fourth, just missing the podium by 0.02 seconds in the 100M final.
Name: Bob Hood
Age: 70
Bob Hood became a surf life saver back in 1968 and has followed his passion for over 50 years.
Mr Hood received his National Service Medal for his years of services and is currently the site manager for Somerton SLSC.
Still kicking at 70, he even recently repainted the club from top to bottom.
Name: Lisa Window
Age: 55
Becoming a surf lifesaver in 2014, Lisa Window is also a personal trainer, fitness instructor, masters competitor and mum of six.
Mrs Window is currently Somerton’s club captain, and her six kids have just completed Nippers at the club and are following in their mums footsteps. Her daughter, Piper, plays for Glenelg FC and was listed number six on the SANFL 23 Under 23.
Port Noarlunga
Name: Maguire Reid
Age: 18
Nominated by Port Noarlunga SLSC, Maguire Reid has built on his successes over the past few years.
This season he claimed his third State Open Ironman title at the recent SA Senior State Championships, winning the first at age 16.
This season he also won his seventh aged board race in a row and supported his teammates to win many team medals for his club which included a bronze medal in the open mixed taplin relay with his sister Zalii.
After the state championships, Mr Reid focused on the kayak nationals in Perth where he gained a spot on the U23 Australian team. His team will go to Italy in June for the Junior World Championships.
Mr Reid claimed a gold medal in the U19 single ski and also gold in the U19 double ski with teammate Ziko Veseley in the Australia Surf Life Saving Championships in WA. He joined a team of open paddlers and won bronze in the open mens ski relay.
Name: Chase Corbett
Age: 15
Chase Corbett cemented his position as one of the top under 15 athletes in SA in 2022/23 season following on from his successful first year as a senior competitor in the 2021/22 season.
He was selected in the SA state youth pathway team and travelled to Maroubra, NSW in January. At the SA Senior State Championships in March, chase won three gold medals in the U15 board race, U15 surf race and U15 Ironperson.
Chase put in solid efforts in all his heats and semi-finals to earn a place in the U15 board race final and the U15 Ironperson final at the SLSA Aussie Youth Titles held in WA in March. He achieved fifth place in the U15 Ironperson final.
Moana
Name: Toby Murphy
Age: 13
Aged just 13, Toby Murphy is over six feet tall and is described by the Moana SLSC as “a true athlete at a very young age”.
He started as a Nipper at the club and currently holds his Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) and patrols on weekends.
Toby is a swimmer who has won gold medals at the last two Surf Life Saving Australia state championships.
He is a state representative for his school for swimming and trains many times a week and is always willing to help around the club.
“He is an inspiration to our younger members,” the club said about Toby.
Name: Conor Brown
Age: 22
Joining Moana SLSC in 2008, Conor worked his way up through the Nippers program and has since gained his bronze medallion. He is now a patrolling member who has done over 300 hours.
Mr Brown dedicates his Saturday afternoons and some Sundays to manage his Nipper group. He has managed a Nipper group since they were in the U8’s and is still with them at U11 level.
The club said of Mr Brown “this is true dedication to community development of our young lifesavers. He is always willing to help and is looking to enter the world of IRB (inflatable rescue boat) competition this year.”
Semaphore
Name: Connor Tunbridge
Age: 20
Connor Tunbridge started at Semaphore SLSC in their Nippers program at age five. Now age 20, he is currently a patrol captain and has been for the past three surf life saving seasons.
Mr Tunbridge has a silver medallion in aquatic rescue, his IRB drivers and crew certification, certificate for ARTC (advanced resuscitation) and has been certified to operate a SLS drone. He has also represented South Australia in interstate surf and pool rescue competitions.
Mr Tunbridge said his most memorable moment in surf life saving was when he made his second state team for pool rescue championships.
“I made some good friends with people who would normally be my competition,” he said.
“It was a great team to be a part of and we all had a great time, made great friends both from SA and interstate and it was a fantastic experience.”
Brighton
Name: Delilah Verri
Age: 14
Starting her surf life saving journey at age five as a Nipper at Brighton SLSC, Delilah professed at age nine that she wished to “be a surf life saver when I grow up”.
She obtained her SRC at 13 which made her dream come true.
In her first season after getting her SRC, she completed over 100 patrol hours.
She was regarded with the most club patrol hours for the 2021/22 season and was nominated for SLSSA young person of the year.
Delilah is an assistant age group manager and is proactive in helping to coach and demonstrate technique. She has gained a bronze medallion and helps other nippers start their surf life saving journeys.
She has a knack for helping other girls with their confidence and well respected by those in the nippers group who even go to her for support outside of the nippers sessions.
Seacliff
Name: Derek Bawden
Age: 41
Derek Bawden has played a key role since joining Seacliff SLSC in 2015. He is currently the clubs chief instructor and does training and education for other members which includes co-ordinating annual skill maintenance for over 200 patrolling members.
So far this season Mr Bawden has completed 300 volunteer patrol hours and 100 hours training members to gain new awards for the club.
Mr Bawden was part of a group of lifesavers who volunteered their time to assist with the Murray River Floods. He was also part of a rescue at Henley Beach this year. During a patrol on Henley Beach an unconscious person was spotted and pulled from the water. Resuscitation was given by Mr Bawden and another lifesaver and the person regained consciousness and was handed to paramedics.
Name: Hayley Hosking
Age: 20
Hayley Hosking started at Seacliff SLSC as a Nipper at age five. Now, she’s vice president of the club and is responsible for the clubs lifesaving operations.
Miss Hosking is the current Australian Youth Surf Life Saver of the year and Holdfast Bay Young Citizen of the year.
She has implemented an initiative focused on inclusivity at the club, Rainbow Beach Day, which hopes to highlight Seacliff SLSC as a welcoming place for all people and celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the club and community.
Last season Miss Hosking completed 400 hours of patrolling and support operations. After a recent tragedy on Seacliff beach outside of patrol hours, she took action and organised to install an automated external defibrillator at the club which is accessible to the public 24/7, with a second to be installed at the Seacliff Patrol Tower.
Glenelg
Name: Amanda de Ieso
Age: 47
Amanda de Ieso has been a patrolling member of Glenelg SLSC since 2016 and chief instructor since 2017.
Mrs de Ieso is responsible for annual skills maintenance for all patrolling members and has managed the program for all members and new members achieving bronze medallions and surf rescue certificates to qualify for patrolling duties.
West Beach
Name: Jacqui Pugsley
Age: 50
Jacqui Pugsley achieved her bronze medallion in the 2021/22 season and has since thrown herself into the West Beach SLSC community.
She has since got her IRB crew certificate and in two seasons has clocked up 150 plus patrolling hours.
Mrs Pugsley assisted with the clubs Pink and Blue swim, the Australia Day Lights on the Water Voluntary Patrol, as well as helping several club committees.
Name: Steve Pugliese
Age: 50
Steve Pugliese was nominated by his club for having achieved his bronze in 2015.
He has also gone on to his IRB drivers, UAV (drone surveillance program) and is taking over the rescue water craft division at SLSSA.
Mr Pugliese attended his first National Surf Life Saving Titles this year assisting with water cover and winning the Aussie Powercraft Rookie of the Year.
Whyalla
Name: Melissa Zubrinich
Age: 41
A life member at the Whyalla SLSC, Melissa (Mel) Zubrinich has held board positions in the club as president, club captain and secretary during her 31 years of service.
She began as a nipper at age 10 in 1992, following in her brother and sisters footsteps. As a nipper she enjoyed training on the weekends, learning flags, boards, sprints and swimming.
As soon as she was old enough, Miss Zubrinich became a patrolling member and earned her SLS certificate and then went on to achieve bronze and IRB crew. She then helped the junior side of training, becoming the junior trainer for many years.
Name: Carolyn Yates
Age: 48
Carolyn Yates first joined Glenelg SLSC in 1992 where she achieved her bronze medallion before transferring to Whyalla SLSC in 1999.
Mrs Yates came to Whyalla for work and since has achieved her IRB drivers certificate, certificate IV in training and assessment and is currently the clubs chief instructor.
A Life Member of the club, she has held a number of board positions in the club as a chief instructor and president. She has also helped at the junior development camps and competed in first aid at a national level.
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