By Ron Lane
At the end of season Youth Ball held for junior lifesavers at Alexander Headlands, Kai Thompson of the Noosa Club was named the 2017 Junior Breaka Under 14 Lifesaver of the Year.
This win ensures that Kai will now be the Sunshine Coast Branch Nominee for this category at the state finals.
To be eligible for this very prestigious award, Kai first of all had to be nominated by his club for the Sunshine Coast category.
When one reads through the nomination forms and studies the details, it is no wonder why this award is held in such esteem.
Regarding this year’s nomination form, it covers all aspects of club life; for example his involvements during the current season – both on and off the beach, patrol hours and awards.
It also asks for a breakdown on leadership roles at academic and community levels, plus surf sports attendance and participation in training and extra-curricular activities.
Further on the author is asked to describe the personality and general attitude of the member and finally in no more than 200 words, why the nominee is worthy of such an award.
When we take into consideration that the nominee is an Under 14 youth, the pride in achieving this award should know no boundaries.
Kai started his career in 2001 as a Under 9 Noosa Nipper and immediately made an impression with his will to win; always willing to get in and have a go.
He immediately took a liking to beach and water events and such was his spirit that he went on and won the club championship for his age group right through to 2016; for 2017 he was competing away.
For the 2016/17 season he was voted Nipper Vice-Captain.
His performance has shown that he not only carried out his responsibilities as a mentor to the younger Nippers, but performed them with an attitude beyond his years.
With regard to the community, he was heavily involved in the building of the Community Garden Project on Hilton Terrace and continued for his fifth year, manning drink stations at the Noosa Triathlon.
Also during the year he worked in water safety with the Under 8 age group and in one particular incident helped a child to overcome fear of the Nipper boards and waves.
His involvement in sport – both inside and outside the world of lifesaving – knows no boundaries; having performed at both state and national level in such disciplines as Fastest Man on Sand, Kayak, Triathlon, Athletics and Water Polo.
In June/July this year he attended the National Water Polo Titles in Sydney representing Queensland.
To advance his career in lifesaving in 2016 he has also obtained his Surf Rescue Certificate.
Not long after doing so he was involved in an incident in the National Park when a friend fell on rocks and badly injured his leg; calming both his friend and parents, Kai then ran three kilometres to the Park Information Centre. After giving staff the necessary information he ran back to his friend and lifting him on to his back, proceeded to carry him back along the track until met by paramedics.
On the form it states: “He does not actively seek to be a role model or mentor – it is just a natural result of his behavior and attitude.”
When his name was announced Kai said, “I was very happy but also very surprised.”
To Kai and family we wish them well. This young man is not only a credit to his club, but above all – his family.
