Jett Cook turned 16 on the day we spoke to him. The Narooma teen made a decision to join the local Surf Life Saving club last October and he says the unexpected benefits are a game-changer.
At the age that typically sees a dramatic drop-off in sport participation, Jett jumped right in to complete his Bronze Medallion and join the Narooma Surf Life Saving Club after searching for something to keep him and his mates busy and at the beach for the summer, while also pushing him to be more physically active.
“It was a good time for me to join because I knew I was going to be stuck at home all summer holidays,” said Jett.
“I started surfing last year too and all I wanted to do was be at the beach. It’s free and there’s so much to do,” he said thinking that was all he’d get out of joining.
“I just got so much more out of it though.”
As many are, Jett said he wasn’t super active before joining and didn’t have much confidence in being able to complete some of the physical aspects of the Bronze Medallion course like paddling the board and a timed swim.
“I used to be scared of rips, and I didn’t have true confidence in myself in the surf,” he admitted.
“When we were told you have to rescue someone on the board, I was so nervous I’d nosedive or struggle with someone on the board, but the instructors did such a good job of walking us through the process and I actually got through it without messing up!”
Even if paddling a board isn’t your thing, there’s something for everyone; a job or a place for everyone within the club. It’s the unexpected things that really get you.
“I just can’t believe how much confidence I got from learning all the skills in the water and on land, it’s opened up my confidence and my world,” he said.
But it wasn’t just the physical side – that was expected.
“What I didn’t expect was meeting the people I did,” he said.
“When I turned up to my first patrol, I didn’t have my mates there but suddenly, I was getting to know all these people; mums, dads, people with all these different jobs and experiences. It really broke me out of just having my own group of friends. The different conversations I’ve had from this group of people who are so wise. I’ve learnt so much in a year from them.”
Surf Life Saving Far South Coast President, Tony Rettke believes the then 15-year-old has gained skills that will set him up for life.
“The opportunities for a lifesaver are many and varied. There’s something for every age group from five to 95,” he said.
“One of the things I love is what it can do for our juniors, kids under 18. We have an opportunity here for kids to do something for nothing, they learn to work in teams and get leadership skills that will take them places. I love to see my patrol doing something for nothing, and employers love that too,” Rettke said.
For Jett, his second season is fast approaching and he’s already thinking about more awards to gain and the opportunities he has, like becoming a UAV pilot, working for the Australian Event Safety Services team, or even becoming a professional lifeguard.
But his message to his mates and kids everywhere is just do it.
“The equipment you learn to use, the fitness and the confidence you gain. It’s a family and an experience for life.”
