At the completion of the State and Australian Championships, we always take the time to reflect on what has been, and what could have been: this year was no different. For many a long season the First Aid results were given little or no attention: but now, all that has changed and rightly so. Now we always ask, how did the first aid team perform? Not only do we watch the performance of such as Noosa coach Lenore Grice, but also others whose names are coming into prominence: not for just winning a medal, but because of their repeated performance over several seasons .
One such a member is Noosa’s young competitor Joey Glassock. Joey’s category is u/19, but such is his ability and success that he now jumps up to compete in the Open division. Joey tells us with a laugh, ‘’My career started when as a 6-month-old baby, my parents sat him in the patrol arena at Coolum, while they performed their patrol duties. It was in the 2009/10 season that the family settled in Noosa and joined the local club.” Joeys first season 2010/2011 saw him competing as a nipper. Then in 2018 he completed his SRC (surf rescue certificate) and in doing so performed his first patrol, Christmas Day of that year.
The season 2019/20 saw Joey compete for the first time as a member of the Noosa First Aid team. A career which was about to become very successful was under way. “In my first year as a u/15 competitor, I won a silver medal at branch which qualified me for state where I won gold: this qualified me for the Nation Titles where I won silver.” The young man was definitely on his way. Last years season he won a bronze at branch, a silver at the state, both in the u/17s, and going up a division won bronze in the u/19s at the National.
At this time he also took an interest in surf boat rowing, by competing for the Noosa Roosters. By shifting from camp to camp, he maintained his first aid place winning another bronze in the u/17s. This season saw him continue in the boat, a program which had him training five times a week: twice in the boat and three times in the gym. Also, while doing this, his commitment saw him maintain his first aid schedule, which required three sessions a week.
This year was going to be different as he was competing with a new partner, Jessie Lloyd Stewart. They were automatically qualified for the state u/19s which were held at Bargara. On the first day the opens were held and Joey and Jessie won the silver. With the Covid restrictions at the Aussies for the 2022 season, the competition was harder with the use of manakins and no live scenarios. Joey and Jessie missed a medal finishing 4th in the Australian Open, but performed well in the u/19 to come home with the silver medal.
Last week speaking with his proud mum Jennie, we were informed that at his school St Teresa’s Catholic College, he received the schools Spirit of Anzac Award. This came about as a result of the schools Leadership Group, recognising the traits of mateship, courage integrity, selflessness and honesty , displayed by this young man in his everyday life amongst his mates, as a student of the college.
At last, the First Aid teams, a very vital aspect of our core business Surf Life Saving, are getting the respect and attention that they justly deserve. With our beaches experiencing a massive increase in visitation, the importance of this team cannot be emphasised enough. Thus, the outstanding ongoing career of junior lifesaver Joey Glassock should be acknowledged.
Away from the core business of the sometimes, dangerous rescue work and the first aid our happy and relaxed beach competitors are safely going through their beach events and such an event is the Beach Flags. This event which is one of our old traditions is played by the contestants laying on their stomach, their arms flat on the sand with their fingers of each hand crossing over the other: the chin is then laid on top of the hands, and when the starters gun is fired, they raise up, turn around and sprint for some 40 or so meters, and race to grab a small so-called flag that stands upright in the sand.
If there are six competitors in a heat there will only be five flags . The competitor who fails to grab a flag is out of the contest. This will continue until there are only two competitors and one flag. This is an event that requires incredibly fast reflexes and the ability to run a short but very fast sprint. Strange as it may seem this is one of the basic requirements for a lifesaver: to be extremely fit and have the capability for a fast reaction.
Like all events at the titles there will, now and then be a competitor who, season after season, will be one of the top three placegetters in state and national titles. His name will be repeated again and again and despite the event, that is considered by a small group to be of novelty rating, he will become well known amongst the competitors from interstate. At present time, there has arisen one such athlete: his club is Noosa Heads and his name is Kai Thompson.
This quite unassuming young man, first came into prominence when, in 2017 at age 13 years, he won two gold medals at the state titles: in beach sprint and the event that was to become his career’s main goal, the beach flags. That year at the Aussies he finished 4th in the sprint, but in the flags’ he won his first national medal, a bronze in the flags. This he achieved while, for the first time, competing for his state.
Then in 2018 competing in the u/15 he won the double by winning both the sprint and the flags at the state titles. Then he achieved what was considered virtually impossible : again, winning the double, gold in the sprint and the flags at the Australian titles. An unheard-of achievement and probably never been done before. Then in 2019/2020, despite once again being picked in the branch and state teams, he did not compete as he was with his parents, on board a yacht, sailing round Australia.
However, in 2021 in the u/19s it was back in business as usual, winning both the sprint and gold at the state titles: at the Aussies finished 4th in the sprint but winning the silver in the flags. For the 2022 season the states were cancelled but the Aussies went ahead: this saw him finish 6th in the sprint. But yet again, in his main event the flags, he won the gold. To continually achieve such results at state and national level, one has to maintain, through the many seasons, a high level of fitness and instant reaction. Many have tried but few, such as our Kai Thompson have succeeded. To all involved with this outstanding young athlete a big well done.
To have two such outstanding and dedicated young lifesavers as Joey Glassock and Kai Thompson in our community, is indeed very gratifying. We wish them both the very best in the years ahead.
Seahorse Nippers.
Once again it is that time of the season when the dedicated volunteers of the Noosa Seahorse Nippers rally to the cause of helping those in need. This coming Saturday at 8am at the Noosa Surf club and on Noosa’s Main Beach, the fun and laughter will continue as it has been doing now for several years.
For those wishing to volunteer their time, 7.30 am would be the time to assemble: and remember the bus service from the Lions Park to the beach will again be available for those with transport problems: starting at 6.30am-7. Once again, a very big thank you to the Noosa Shire Council for their support regarding the bus service.
