Adult Bronzies leading by example

THE latest crop of Bronze Medallion recipients have successfully been put through their paces at Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club.

In challenging conditions on Saturday, the group of 14 navigated their way through the assessment to complete the Bronze course.

This intake was largely adults, all bar one, with many of them doing it to be certified in water safety in order to help out with the Nippers program.

Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club vice-captain Amenah McDonald said she encouraged all of them to come out and patrol and continue to build their skills while importantly the example the adults were setting for the younger members of the surf club was invaluable.

“I think if the older parents lead by example and show what they are capable of I think they can be good mentors to younger people in the club,” Ms McDonald said.

The course is done over two weeks, requiring 40 hours, concluding with an assessment.

The assessment tests everything from resuscitation, first-aid scenarios, run-swim-run, board rescue, spinal management and theory questions.

Ms McDonald, who is also a Nippers coach and patrol captain, runs the program and said the improvement across the two weeks was evident, not only from a knowledge aspect, but confidence in their skills.

“I think they have a new appreciation for what their kids do in Nippers.

“A lot of them said how they really appreciate what I’m putting my kids into now.

“(A lot of improvement came) in terms of a level of confidence, knowing they can handle the conditions.”

Ms McDonald has been running these courses for eight years at Ocean Grove and has previously been involved with the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.