Surf Rescue Commendation
SLSSA Surf Lifesavers provide an essential service to communities throughout South Australia, performing many exceptional rescues and providing first aid in emergency situations, which are over and above normal duties. These actions showcase excellence in lifesaving training, skills and procedures, which deserve special recognition.
The purpose of the Surf Rescue Commendation is to recognise high priority rescues nominated by their Club.
Jodi Kappler
Club: Port Noarlunga SLSC
Date: 21 October 2024
Citation: On Monday, 21 October 2024, Jodi Kappler of the Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club demonstrated outstanding initiative and lifesaving skills during a rescue at Southport, near the Onkaparinga River mouth. Four young women, aged 17-20, were caught in a powerful rip current and pulled beyond the break zone.
While conducting surf ski training approximately 100 meters away, Jodi heard distressed cries for help. Acting without hesitation, she paddled toward the swimmers, quickly assessing the situation and taking control with calm and decisive instructions. Noticing that two of the swimmers were holding a boogie board, she coached them to grip the board securely and swim laterally to escape the rip.
Recognising that the other two swimmers were further out, Jodi paddled directly to them. Her actions caught the attention of a nearby surfer, who joined her in providing assistance. With remarkable composure, Jodi helped one of the remaining swimmers hold onto her ski’s tail, safely guiding her back to shore. Her rapid, skilled response transformed a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and effective rescue.
We commend Jodi for her exemplary actions, which underscore the critical role our volunteer lifesavers play in keeping our coastal community safe. Her courage and commitment are an inspiration to all.
Jeffrey Owens
Club: Brighton SLSC
Date: 27 June 2024
Citation: On Friday 27 June 2024, Jeff Owens of the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club demonstrated outstanding initiative and lifesaving skills during a rescue at Brighton Beach. A man appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and was making his way out into the ocean.
While walking his dog, Jeff noticed a man walking fully clothed into the water. The man appeared to be attempting self-harm. Jeff swam out to the man, calmly negotiated with him, and provided reassurance. When the man could no longer stay afloat, Jeff towed him back to shore, ensuring his safety.
While Jeff was somewhat supported by another member of the public, he performed the lion’s share of the work and individually towed the fully clothed adult male back to shore.
Jeff’s instinct, compassion and skilled response transformed a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and an exceptional rescue.
We commend Jeff for his exemplary actions, which underscore the critical role of our volunteer lifesavers play in keeping our coastal community safe. His courage and commitment are an inspiration to all.
Dune Patrol
Members: Naish Allen, Grant Brown, Michael Critchley, Dawn Heath, Stewart Lawrie, Aleksandr Lines, Lachlan Lines, Rodney Perkins, Michelle Rose, Jamie Rose, Alexis Schrama, Sarah Schrama and Danielle Trezise
Club: Port Noarlunga SLSC
Date: 15 December 2024
Citation: On Sunday 15th December 2024, members of the Dune Patrol of the Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club demonstrated outstanding commitment and lifesaving skills during a rescue at Port Noarlunga Beach. While the IRB team were conducting rides with Nipper members, they were alerted to someone in distress.
The IRB team investigated and discovered a member of the public unconscious and face down in the water, north of the jetty. The IRB retrieved the patient and conducted CPR while returning to the patrol area south of the jetty and tending to the Nippers onboard.
After only a few rounds of CPR, the patient was breathing, and by the time the patient left the beach, they were also conscious. The members of the Dune Patrol took immediate action, and demonstrated a skilled response, transformed a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and an exceptional rescue.
We commend the Dune Patrol members for their exemplary actions, which underscore the critical role of our volunteer lifesavers play in keeping our coastal community safe. Their courage and commitment are an inspiration to all.
Emergency Operations Group
Members: Hayley Hosking (Seacliff SLSC), Lachlan Larven (Glenelg SLSC), Kylie Ellison (Semaphore SLSC), Sam Ralph (Grange SLSC), Lillian Woodroffe (Brighton SLSC), Robert Tanner (Brighton SLSC), John Charles (South Port SLSC), Noelene Charles (South Port SLSC), Dan Demaria (Glenelg SLSC), Joshua Warne (SLSC)
Date: 27 January 2025
Citation: On 27 January 2025, the SLSSA Emergency Operations Group (EOG) demonstrated outstanding initiative and lifesaving skills during a rescue at West Beach Boat Ramp. The team were tasked by SAPOL to respond to a member of the public swept into the rocks by strong currents while swimming on the southern side of the West Beach Boat Ramp.
At approximately 18:30hrs, the EOG team responded swiftly, with SOC members also called in after hours to assist in the coordination of this major incident. Conditions were hazardous, with strong SSW winds gusting up to 56 km/h, air temperatures around 20°C, and large swell.
The team was first on the scene and quickly located the patient, using a rescue tube to reach her. As the rescuer maneuverered toward the rocks, an IRB crew member joined, performing vital assessments. Meanwhile, additional rescuers scaled the rocks to improve communication with the command team.
With SAAS and SAPOL on-site, it became clear that recovering the patient via the water or the rocks would require extraordinary measures. All attempts were unsuccessful due to the extreme conditions, and the State Rescue Helicopter was called in as the only viable option.
As the helicopter approached, the EOG members stayed with the patient, offering reassurance and providing care despite the harsh conditions. Lifesaver 2 provided essential water cover as the team await the arrival of the helicopter 19:30hrs, allowing a paramedic to be winched onto the rocks and safely extract the patient.
The EOG teams’ instinct, commitment and skilled, coordinated response transformed a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and effective rescue.
We commend the EOG team for their exemplary actions, which underscore the critical role of our volunteer lifesavers play in keeping our coastal community safe. Their courage and commitment are an inspiration to all.
West Beach SLSC
Members: Kai Nixon (West Beach SLSC), Michael Hartas (West Beach SLSC), Joshua Warne (EOG), Lachlan Larven (EOG), Connor Jones (EOG)
Date: 05 March 2025
Citation: On 05 March 2025, Kai Nixon, a member of the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, with the support of his friends and other SLSSA members, demonstrated outstanding initiative and lifesaving skills during a rescue near the West Beach boat ramp while enjoying time on the beach with his friends.
A woman alerted them of her grandson who was struggling in the water. Kai paddled out to him yet was unable to return to shore due to challenging conditions so took the boy to the rocks where Kai’s friends helped the patient to safety. They identified the grandmother had entered the water to assist and was being dragged out to sea in a rip. One of the boys rescued the grandmother and took her to the rocks.
Mike Hartas, who was out on a run, attended the scene and EOG members were called to assist. Emergency Services & SLSSA EOG members arrived and the grandmother was taken from the rocks to the boat ramp in the IRB.
Kai Nixon’s instinct, commitment and skilled response transformed a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and a significant rescue. We commend all those involved for their exemplary actions, which underscore the critical role of our volunteer lifesavers play in keeping our coastal community safe. Their courage and commitment are an inspiration to all.
Delta 2.0 Patrol
Members: Kai Nixon (West Beach SLSC), Michael Hartas (West Beach SLSC), Joshua Warne (EOG), Lachlan Larven (EOG), Connor Jones (EOG)
Club: Goolwa SLSC
Date: 09 March 2025
Citation: On 9 March 2025, Delta 2.0 Patrol of Goolwa SLSC demonstrated exceptional initiative and lifesaving skills during a multi-patient rescue at Goolwa Beach.
After extending their patrol due to ongoing beach activity, two teenagers alerted patrol members to a boy caught in a rip on a pool float. Both of his parents had entered the water to assist. On arrival, Matt Ludgate and Jack Breen found the teens helping the father from the water and were informed the mother was still in distress. Matt paddled out and rescued her from the impact zone - she was entangled in seaweed, semi-conscious, and non-verbal.
Jack confirmed the boy was safe on shore. Rosie Kavanagh and Layla Woods arrived to assist, placing the father - who was showing signs of respiratory distress - in the recovery position and administering oxygen while preparing a defibrillator. Once Matt returned with the mother, Jack and Oscar helped bring her ashore and provided oxygen.
Both parents were transported to South Coast District Hospital by SAAS, with the mother later airlifted to Flinders Hospital after suffering a heart attack. Thanks to the patrol’s swift and coordinated response, both made a full recovery.
Delta 2.0 Patrol’s awareness, professionalism, and commitment turned a potentially tragic situation into a successful rescue and are a testament