Sunshine Coast lifesavers win big at surf life saving awards of excellence - List

A Noosa lifeguard has taken out the state’s top gong on a night where the Sunshine Coast’s lifesavers reaped the rewards of a big year in surf and on sand. SEE THE WINNERS

Veteran Noosa lifeguard Isaac Smith has been named the Queensland Lifeguard of the Year after more than 20 years of service to the Sunshine Coast.

He earned the honour at Surf Life Saving Queensland’s virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence on Saturday night and was just one of the many awards presented to the region’s lifesavers.

It comes after his maiden Regional Lifeguard of the Year title for the Sunshine Coast region in August.

Smith’s professionalism and leadership in keeping thousands of swimmers safe at Noosa beaches every year was recognised.

“Isaac has been an integral part of the Noosa region’s high safety standards, ensuring a professional approach is upheld,” Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO Dave Whimpey said.

Noosa lifeguard Isaac Smith was named the Queensland Lifeguard of the Year during the Surf Life Saving Queensland's virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence.

Along with his efforts during countless major incidents over the past 20 years, Smith has also implemented the interservice Noosa National Park induction.

The induction has helped lifeguards and lifesavers become familiar with the dangerous Noosa National Park Area that is the subject of numerous calls for assistance every year.

It has even been rolled out to all emergency services including QAS, QPS and QLD Fire and Rescue.

In recent years Mr Smith has even expanded his skill set to become a crewman in the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.

Smith told the Daily in August he was “chuffed” and “humbled” to be recognised as the regional lifeguard of the year.

“It’s (my greatest achievement) been all those little one percenters, whether it's helping someone in their time of need with lacerations or almost drowning,” he said last month.

He enjoyed making newcomers and locals alike feel welcome and being an approachable source of help.

“Being able to be that lifeguard figure and being a mentor for the other guards (has been great),” he said.

Smith wasn’t the Sunshine Coast’s only success on the night, with a number of other achievements being presented.

Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club was awarded Club of the Year due to their recruitment strategy, which has resulted in a 10 per cent growth in membership.

Emma Woods from Alexandra Headland SLSC was awarded Youth Athlete of the Year during the Surf Life Saving Queensland's virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence

In other awards, Alexandra Headland’s Emma Woods was recognised for her outstanding performances in the 2020/21 season and was rewarded with the Youth Athlete of the Year accolade.

In her inaugural Nutri Grain Ironwoman Series Woods finished sixth overall, qualifying her for this year’s series.

Dicky Beach’s Tas Chamberlain was another Sunshine Coast youth rewarded, taking out the U14 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year award.

Tas Chamberlain from Dicky Beach SLSC was the U14 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year during the Surf Life Saving Queensland's virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence

Chamberlain has represented his club at local and state level youth championships, while also completing nearly 80 hours of patrol.

Alexandra Headland’s Isabella Powell was the winner of the U18 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year award.

Powell has obtained 55 lifesaving awards.

Isabella Powell from Alexandra Headland SLSC was awarded U18 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year during the Surf Life Saving Queensland's virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence.

The 2021 Sunshine Coast Award winners are:

• Lifeguard of the Year - Isaac Smith

• Youth Athlete of the Year – Emma Woods, Alexandra Headland SLSC

• Sport Team of the Year – U19 Male Surf Boat Crew – Maroochydore Force, Maroochydore SLSC

• U14 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Tas Chamberlain, Dicky Beach SLSC

• U18 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Isabella Powell, Alexandra Headland SLSC

• Andy Frizzel OAM, OBE – Shaun Baker, Noosa Heads SLSC

• Volunteer of the Year – Special Commendation – Eliza Dreves, Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC

• Club of the Year – Marcoola SLSC

• Innovation Award – PULSE – Advanced Lifesaving Program

• President’s Cup – Alexandra Headland SLSC

Shaun Baker from Noosa Heads SLSC was given the Andy Frizzell OAM OBE Award during the Surf Life Saving Queensland's virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence on Saturday night

Lifesaving Excellence Awards:

-Tess Cramond AO OBE Medal for Lifesaving Excellence - Outstanding Resuscitation: Sunshine Coast lifeguards Billy Kneale, Jack Frey, Rene Gregory, Vittoria Farmer, James Cervi, William Gemmell, Steven Boyd, Jake Pannunzio, and Flynn Ross for the successful resuscitation of an adult man who collapsed at Noosa West on January 5, 2021.

-Jack Dearlove MBE Medal - for Lifesaving Excellence - Outstanding Rescue: Mooloolaba’s Tim Barrett and Mudjimba’s Guy Tanner for rescuing a mother and her two children from a rip at Mudjimba on August 6, 2020.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast lifesavers win big at surf life saving awards of excellence - List