Courageous Feats!
You may remember two short years ago that one of our 成人短片's students, Callum, and his mate were out for a surf when they needed to jump into action and apply their Nippers training to rescue a 6ft man at risk of drowning. We are pleased to say that the two boys have been awarded The Bronze Medallion for Courage 鈥 Youth Award for their courageous efforts.
At the 2023 Coastal Bravery Awards ceremony over the weekend, Callum was one of 31 individuals to be honoured by Surf Life Saving WA. Nearly 160 guests gathered for the fifth bi-annual event to celebrate SLSWAs highest recognition for acts of bravery.
The Bronze Medallion for Courage 鈥 Youth Award is awarded to any person under the age of 16 who performs a lifesaving act demonstrating courage on the West Australian coast or, in the case of a member of Surf Life Saving WA, where they may have used the skills learned through their participation in surf life saving, to perform an act demonstrating courage away from the coast.
We are incredibly proud of Callum's selfless and courageous effort.
Callum and Brodie - Bronze Medallion for Courage 鈥 Youth Award Synopsis
At only 13 years of age, Mullaloo SLSC members Brodie and Callum applied their skills learned as Nippers to go to the aid of an adult male at risk of drowning. With a channel running across in front of the club, the calm waters on top belied the strong undercurrent, which had caught out the couple who had gone for an evening swim.
Out for a surf, screams alerted Brodie and Callum to their distress. While one of the individuals had managed to make their way to the shore, a male had been caught in the strong currents and was struggling to stay afloat under the dumping waves out back.
Paddling out to the exhausted man, they were able to drag him onto Brodie鈥檚 board, attempting to paddle him back to shore. Despite Brodie鈥檚 small board not being suitable for transporting a six-foot adult male, and with the individual slipping from the board numerous times as they navigated their way through the waves, they were able to make it back to shore safely.
Following the rescue, the man stated that he had feared for his life and didn鈥檛 know what would have happened if Callum and Brodie hadn鈥檛 come to his rescue.
You can read more about the awards .