Riley Petherbridge has achieved a great deal in his 18 years .
Aside from winning Hunter Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year 2020/21, the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) member also volunteers 100 hours a year patrolling one of the city’s most popular beaches.
He helps out with nippers, teaches Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) to youngsters, and last month he volunteered with the Hunter surf lifesaving team that assisted with the Upper Hunter floods – all while completing his Year 12 studies.
The (now former) Macquarie College student joined Newcastle SLSC in January 2019, completed his Bronze Medallion that year and his Silver Medallion in 2020.
The busy teen also stems from life-saving heritage, his mother Melissa Petherbridge was a nipper at Redhead Surf Lifesaving Club, patrolling the beach in the first few years of female participation.
So, during what is expected to be a busy summer at the beach, the Toronto-raised lifesaver wants beachgoers to know the risks they take have a ripple effect.
“When you don’t swim between the flags or don’t wear a lifejacket when you’re rock fishing you’re putting all of us at risk, not just yourself,” he says.
“There are a lot of rocks at Newcastle beaches, many that are hidden under water, and they can be treacherous.
“Knowing what to do if you get into trouble in the water is so important.”
Hence why Riley is passionate about the nippers program.
“Thanks to Newcastle Permanent we’re able to keep programs like nippers running,” he says.
“We’re essentially creating lifesavers of the future, through learning.
“There is really no substitute for years of board and swimming experience, you can almost tell who’s done nippers and who hasn’t. It doesn’t compare to swimming in a pool.
“And then, even when they are older, as a teenager going to the beach with friends and being able to make informed decisions about ocean safety is invaluable.
“It’s a must.”
Through his work in life saving, Riley has been able to execute intelligence, planning, communications, and dispatching of emergency services.
All skills he will take with him into his further education.
“I’ve decided to study nursing at Avondale,” he told Newcastle Weekly.
“I haven’t decided what the end goal is with nursing, but I like the emergency and critical care aspects.”
“I think if you put your hand up and you go for these opportunities (like assisting in flood rescue) and you actually put some time and effort into producing those skills and maintaining them, then that’s where the difference is.
“Everyone can do a first aid certificate but not everyone has the empowerment or courage to get involved in an emergency situation.
“That’s part of what we try to teach in training. It’s about empowering people to let them know ‘yes you can do this’.
