Betson surfs to success

AN Anglesea surf life saver has gone above and beyond in all areas of the sport and been rewarded with national honours.

James Betson was awarded Surf Life Saving Australia’s Trainer of the Year at its annual gala event last weekend in Sydney.

The Jan Juc resident was one of three members of the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club to be nominated for a national award, the most out of any club in the country.

Mr Betson began his life saving journey in the Nipper program in 2007, before climbing the ranks and graduating with his Surf Rescue Certificate in 2013.

He would go on to add a Bronze and Silver Medallion to his repertoire, as well as a Bronze Medallion Junior Trainer award in 2016, opening the door for him to start upskilling the next generation of surf life savers.

For the past two years he has been Anglesea SLSC’s director of member development, helping to drive higher standards for the club across all facets of life saving.

Mr Betson was awarded the Margaret Marsh award for club person of the year in 2024, and also took home Life Saving Victoria’s Trainer of the Year in the most recent season.

He said the sense of joy he gets from seeing young members progress in life saving is unlike anything else.

“I am incredibly proud of the team we are building at Anglesea at the moment,” he said.

“It gives me a great sense of pride knowing I play a small part in this.

“This award would never have been possible if I wasn’t surrounded by the people I currently am [surrounded by] who are constantly supporting, encouraging and pushing me to be my best.

“I’ve met my partner and some of my best mates through the club and I hope I can continue to give back to the club that has given so much to me.

“I mean every word of when I say this award was an absolute team effort.”

Mr Betson has been invited to attend Life Saving Australia’s national leadership college in February next year.

The week-long intensive program provides an opportunity for members to enhance their leadership skills to contribute to the overall success of surf life saving.