2026 SLSSA Awards of Excellence Finalists
The Surf Life Saving SA Awards of Excellence recognises and celebrates the achievements and contributions of our members throughout the season across a wide range of categories.
Congratulations to the below finalists (listed in alphabetical order).
Surf Life Saver Of The Year
Bobby Tanner (Brighton SLSC)
Cassie Wilmot (Goolwa SLSC)
Josh Warne (Glenelg SLSC)
Steve Pugliese (West Beach SLSC)
Volunteer Of The Year
Cassie Wilmot (Goolwa SLSC)
Chelsea Daughtry (Semaphore SLSC)
Richard Nurmi (Christies Beach SLSC)
Rebecca Woods (Henley SLSC)
Club Of The Year
Moana Surf Life Saving Club
Normanville Surf Life Saving Club
Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club
West Beach Surf Life Saving Club
‘John Baker’ Young Surf Life Saver Of The Year
Jai Gardner (Henley SLSC)
Lachlan Larven (Glenelg SLSC)
Jacob Newrick (Brighton SLSC)
Hannah Trezona (Christies Beach SLSC)
Young Volunteer Of The Year
Jed Down (Seacliff)
Tahlia Hicks (Aldinga Bay)
Elias Morton (Elizabeth)
Ella Murray (West Beach)
Athlete Of The Year
Hannah Deacon (Glenelg SLSC)
Taj Wallace-Ward (Seacliff SLSC)
Lachlan Washington (West Beach SLSC)
Youth Athlete Of The Year
Taj Bunting (Brighton SLSC)
Robert Burfield (Grange SLSC)
Harrison Carberry (West Beach SLSC)
Surf Sport Team Of The Year
The Chiton Rocks Crusty Critters U19 Male Surf Boat Crew
The Grange U17 and U19 Board Rescue Team
The Seacliff Open Male Rescue Tube Rescue Team
Coach Of The Year
Todd Bampton (Semaphore SLSC)
Robert Holman (Grange SLSC)
Darryl Pope (Seacliff SLSC)
Official Of The Year
Richard Crowe (Brighton SLSC)
Loo Keighran (Somerton SLSC)
Paul Rothwell (Christies Beach SLSC)
Trainer Of The Year
Nathan Amos (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
David Forest (Grange SLSC)
Camron Lane (Semaphore SLSC)
Abby Thomas (West Beach SLSC)
Kirstin Tocker (Glenelg SLSC)
Assessor Of The Year
Iain Mitchell (Glenelg SLSC)
Suzanne Mitchell (Henley SLSC)
Richard Nurmi (Christies Beach SLSC)
Raymond Nussio (Somerton SLSC)
Bobby Tanner (Brighton SLSC)
Community Engagement Of The Year
Murray Bridge Life Saving Club’s River Nipper Program
North Haven SLSC’s Survival Day Community
Seacliff SLSC’s Ocean Rise Program
Semaphore SLSC’s Inclusive Beaches Carnival
West Beach SLSC’s Tidebreakers Program
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Awards of Excellence event.