TWO of the region’s most promising young Surf Life Saving volunteers were named the female and male Newcastle Permanent Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year on Sunday 13 February during the North Coast Branch Championships at Sawtell Beach.

Larnie Mordue and Jack Barry, both from Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club, took out the honours.

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North Coast Surf Life Saving President Les Pepper said Surf Life Saving Clubs keep people safe at the beach, but they also help develop future community leaders.

Les said the award process requires entrants to submit a written application and do an interview.

They will now compete for the NSW Junior Life Saver of the Year Award and participate in Surf Life Saving NSW’s three-day leadership development program in Sydney.

“Larnie and Jack are assets to the local Surf Life Saving community,” Les Pepper said.

“Thanks to Newcastle Permanent’s support, we can recognise and encourage Larnie, Jack and other young people to be future leaders of Surf Life Saving and in the broader community,” he said.

Larnie has introduced friends to life saving and loves helping younger kids at Nippers.

The thirteen-year-old Coffs Harbour Christian Community College student has been a Nipper since the under 7s.
She has already won gold at the Country Championships.

One of her inspirations is the winner of last year’s Coolangatta Gold, Lana Rogers.

She has volunteered to help kids with autism experience Surf Life Saving and would like to help set up targeted programs for newly arrived refugee kids to gain water safety skills.

“I love inspiring younger kids; this makes me proud because I love to see their smiles at the end of training,” Larnie said.

Jack started Nippers in the Under 6s.

His mum, dad and older sisters were involved in Nippers so he was keen to get involved too.

The fourteen-year-old St John Paul College student said the board paddling, body surfing and resuscitation skills were fun but important because they could help him to save a life one day.

In his first Country Championships, he won a gold (Buchanan Relay) and a bronze (Wade Relay).

The winner of the 2021 Iron Man Series, including the Coolangatta Gold, Ali Day, is his inspiration.

“The most important activity in Surf Life Saving is patrol, to keep people safe and make sure they don’t drown,” Jack said.

Newcastle Permanent’s Coffs Harbour lending manager Anita Kleyn presented the awards and said all the finalists were very impressive.

“Newcastle Permanent and North Coast Surf Life Saving have a great partnership because we are both committed to supporting our community,” Anita said.

“With young people such as Larnie, Jack and the other finalists, our Surf Life Saving Clubs and beach patrols are in good hands,” she said.

By Andrea FERRARI