For many young members, surf lifesaving begins with nippers.
For Point Danger Branch member Alastair McConnell, it began the same way. What makes his journey different is where it has taken him.
With 55 lifesaving awards already to his name, Alastair has built a reputation as someone who embraces every opportunity that comes his way. Whether it’s completing qualifications, racing IRBs, assisting age managers for a season, or helping shape youth involvement within his club, his approach has remained remarkably simple: say yes.
It’s a mindset that has opened countless doors and continues to shape where he hopes his lifesaving journey will lead next.
From Nippers to Now
Alastair’s introduction to surf lifesaving came at a young age through the nipper program.
“I first got involved with surf lifesaving from a nipper in Under 6 and completed nippers through the whole program,” he said.
“My parents saw when I was at the beach as a child loving the water, the surf and loved swimming so young.”
What started as a way to spend more time in the ocean quickly became something much bigger.
“Through the nipper program and being very competitive with my peers, I loved it more and more,” he said.
“I had a lot of fun throughout that first year and it has not stopped yet.”
That enthusiasm has remained a constant throughout his lifesaving journey, helping him become involved in a wide range of activities both on and off the beach.
Never Limiting Yourself
At an age when many members are still working through their first few qualifications, Alastair has already accumulated an impressive 55 lifesaving awards.
For him, the motivation isn’t about collecting certificates. It’s about opening doors.
“I have a drive to not be limited on what I want to do,” he said.
“That drive has given me opportunities to develop my skills, complete the awards and experience all the opportunities that surf lifesaving allows us to have while still volunteering.”
Each qualification has provided another pathway, another skill, and another way to contribute.
Most recently, that journey led him to complete his IRB Drivers Award.
Preparing for the Next Milestone Achievement
Of all the qualifications Alastair has completed, one stands above the rest.
“My IRB Drivers is my most proud one,” he said.
“I have spent a lot of time around the IRBs from seeing them on patrol to crewing them. Now being able to drive them and race them is great fun and a very happy accomplishment.”
The award represented more than just another qualification.
“It stands out because it’s my first Silver Medallion and allows me to have more access, responsibility and fun while on patrol.”
It’s a milestone that reflects years of involvement and a willingness to continually challenge himself.
Learning Beyond Qualifications
While awards and qualifications are an important part of surf lifesaving, Alastair believes some of the biggest lessons come from the people around you.
“The biggest lesson I have learnt would be maturity,” he said.
“I keep getting reminded by my amazing age managers that I wasn’t the nicest at times and was very stubborn.”
Over time, interacting with mentors, attending courses, participating in development camps, and becoming more involved across the movement helped him grow both personally and as a lifesaver.
“The maturity I learnt through interacting with adults, on courses and development camps and getting very involved allowed other skills to rub off on me positively.”
It’s a reminder that some of the most valuable outcomes of surf lifesaving happen away from the water.
Giving Back to the Next Generation
One area Alastair is particularly passionate about is supporting younger members.
Although he wasn’t old enough to officially age manage, he still found ways to get involved and make a difference.
“Assisting the next generation of lifesavers is a cool thing to think about,” he said.
“I assisted in age managing as I was unable to age manage myself due to my age, but still had the same impact.”
Helping younger members develop the same skills and experiences he enjoyed as a nipper has become one of the most rewarding parts of his involvement.
“Teaching them the skills I was taught and seeing the competitiveness and friendships grow between the nippers was rewarding to do.”
Beyond the beach, his involvement with committee work and youth-focused initiatives has provided even more opportunities to support younger members.
“The committee work with youth in mind and the youth committee allows me to have more impact on the nippers.”
Just Say Yes
When asked what advice he would give to other young members, Alastair’s answer is immediate.
“The one piece of advice would be to always just say yes.”
“It’s always best to take an opportunity than not to and then regret it later.”
Whether it’s a course, patrol opportunity, development camp, competition, or leadership role, he believes there is always something to gain.
“You will always get something out of an opportunity in the surf club.”
It’s a philosophy that has clearly served him well.
Looking Ahead
Despite already achieving so much, Alastair has no plans on slowing down.
“In five years, I hope to move onto wave runner and assisting with the drone operations,” he said.
He is also working towards gaining his Patrol Captain Award this year.
“This will allow me to start taking more leadership and responsibility on the beach and helping out younger crew coming through.”
At the heart of those ambitions is a desire to continue supporting the next generation.
“The area I would love to have a bigger impact in is keeping youth and nippers involved in the club as they get older,” he said.
“A lot of nippers stop between Under 11 and Under 14, which is where the opportunities start.”
For Alastair, the future of surf lifesaving lies in helping young members discover the same opportunities that have shaped his own journey.
After all, 55 awards, countless experiences, and a growing list of ambitions all started with a simple decision to get involved and keep saying yes.