Tributes for Surf Life Saving president Kevin ‘Brakey’ Watkins who has died

Surf Life Saving SA president Kevin ‘Brakey’ Watkins has died, leaving behind a “legacy of excellence, passion and care”.

Surf Life Saving community remembers SLSSA president, Kevin ‘Brakey’ Watkins who is pictured with Dr Ilaria Pagani, a researcher and lifesaver. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Surf Life Saving SA president, Kevin ‘Brakey’ Watkins has “caught his last wave”, dying after a fierce battle with a long-term illness, aged 70.

The life saving communities around the state have paid tribute to the “true legend” who had been suffering from chronic myeloid leukaemia.

He will be missed greatly for his “friendly candour, warm and embracing style and for the way he wrapped his arms around (his community)”.

President of the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club John Cvetko told The Advertiser that Brakey “was the best of us and someone we gladly aspire to be like”.

“He is held up as a true gentlemen, a trusted friend, mate, coach and mentor to so many here at Brighton Surf Life Saving Club and across the greater Surf Life Saving movement,” he said.

A lifetime member of the Brighton SLSC, he was a much celebrated boat sweep, having won state and national medals and represented South Australia on numerous occasions.

“He was warm, welcoming and always had time to help others on their journey and was then excited and emotional when they achieved what they strived for,” Mr Cvetko said.

“It’s fitting that Brighton’s club colour is red, because it coursed brightly though his veins.

“His passion for Brighton, his club, would lead his voice to quiver when taking about it and nothing made him happier than the achievements of our younger generation.”

Surf Life Saving SA President, Kevin ‘Brakey’ Watkins has passed away. Picture: Facebook

Brakey with Dr Ilaria, a fellow Brighton Life Saver, who is also a doctor researching chronic myeloid leukaemia. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Brakey was “the best” Santa for generations of Nippers that came through the Brighton club.

Mr Cvetko remembers a recent conversation he had with Brakey.

“I had the opportunity to talk Brakey through the number of youth competitors we had competing at the Manly and Freshwater carnivals in NSW recently, and to use a Brakeyism, he was “absolutely chuffed”,” he said.

“Brakey brought that passion to everybody in the Life Saving movement and as much as we love and miss him for what he brought to ‘his’ Brighton, we’re chuffed that so many got to share in his passion and know how much he will be missed across our entire Surf Life Saving community.”

Brakey had been an active Surf Life Saving member for the last 55 years, having gained his Bronze Medallion in 1967.

Brakey would dress up as Santa for the Nippers at Christmas. Picture: SLSSA

The Watkins family, in a statement realised to The Advertiser, said they were deeply saddened by the loss of their husband and father.

“We’re overwhelmed by the care and support that’s been expressed to us from the entire Surf Life Saving community that Kevin loved so much.

“It’s been exceptionally moving to see the outpouring of grief and love in memory of Kevin from the movement that he personified for over 50 years.

“As we work through out own healing in private, we thank the community for their condolences, and look forward to sharing many of the amazing stories and memories of Kevin’s life in the future.”

Surf Life Saving SA lifesavers will wear a black arm band to remember Kevin Watkins. Picture: SLSSA

SLSSA CEO Damien Marangon said while Brakey “may have caught his last wave with us … he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, passion and care that will be felt for generations to come”.

“He was instrumental in driving greater gender equity, leading open and honest conversations with our clubs and pushing the organisation to fiercely embrace our vision to ensure that nobody drowns in any South Australian waters,” he said.

“Kevin was one of the great people that we have been lucky to have with us, on the beach and in the boardroom.”

Described as the “real rock of surf boats and SLSSA”, the surf life saving community is grieving Kevin ‘Brakey’ Watkins. Picture: Facebook

Social media users flooded the comments of SLSSA’s online tribute to pay their respects to the “real rock of surf boats and SLSSA”.

Georgina Cole said Brakey “was a man who brought people together with lots of humour” while Regan Smallacombe called him “an absolute legend”.

“One of the greatest people to ever grace our beaches,” wrote Jesse Rafanelli.

Tim Cavan called the president a “true legend”.

“His life story is an amazing adventure,” he wrote.

Mr Marangon said “we (SLSSA) will honour Kevin in a number of appropriate ways, including black arm bands on patrolling lifesavers this weekend, as well as a moment’s silence at sporting events and a memorial service in the coming weeks”.

Brakey also worked with researchers of chronic myeloid leukaemia as an advisor. He passed away Monday morning and is survived by his wife, Sofie and children, Ella and Oskar.