SAVING LIVES IN THE SURF
From a girl too scared to dip her toe into the surf to an integral member of Mermaid Beach SLSC, Sophie Gerry is inspiring others in water safety
SOPHIE Gerry grew up petrified of the water and is now using her experiences to inspire others.
Sophie, 19, is the Mermaid Beach Surf Lifesaving Club Summer Surf Ambassador and aims to teach people about beach safety and inspire younger members.
Sophie has spent the past five months fundraising, running competitions and giving talks on behalf of Surf Lifesaving Queensland.
Recently, she went to Griffith University’s International Orientation and shared her beach safety message with more than 700 exchange students.
Moving to the Gold Coast from Adelaide at age 10, Sophie wouldn’t so much as dip her toes in the ocean.
“I was petrified of the water,” she said.
“I didn’t go in until I was 14 when I joined lifesaving and that was by force.
“I wouldn’t even put my head under when I first started but everyone at Mermaid was very supportive and I went through the ranks and now I’m training those people, so that’s really cool.”
Since those first steps in the ocean Sophie has been committed to helping surf lifesaving.
“I’ve been working my way through the club and getting involved as much as I could and going on different programs,” she said.
“I saw others doing this
program (Summer Surf Ambassador) and was inspired so I decided to step up and take on the leadership role.
“The program is also about personal development for women to become positive role models for younger members.”
Sophie said beach safety was an important message more people need to be aware of.
“With the Gold Coast being such a tourist destination and even with locals it’s frightening and also upsetting that there are so many near-drownings, and people are so uneducated about beach safety,” she said.
“Prevention is key and we’re trying to get that message out there so we’re not having so many tragedies.”
On her travels Sophie had also passed on skills learnt through surf lifesaving to people in Cambodia, Vietnam and Kenya and taught them first aid and CPR.
The ambassador program ends in May with the conclusion of the surf lifesaving season but Sophie wants to continue spreading the message.
“I also work for lifesaving doing community awareness and I would love to keep doing that,” she said.
Several other Gold Coast surf lifesaving clubs participate in the program including Coolangatta with Nikki Brownlie, the 2019 ambassador.
“From the age of eight surf life saving has influenced the person I am today by wanting to help others and the skills to handle life,” she said.
“This is my journey to give back to something that has given me so many opportunities.”
The Summer Surf Program is aimed at girls over
18 years-old wanting to develop their skills and experience for their future careers outside of surf lifesaving.
The program has been running across Queensland since 1964 and a new ambassador is chosen from participating clubs each year for the duration of the surf lifesaving season.
The Summer Surf Ambassador opportunities include webinars, with mentors covering topics such as events management, leadership, social marketing, business development and professional presentation.
The program has major benefits for participating clubs through raising vital funds as well promoting the retention of members, inspiring younger members and providing positive community engagement for the club.
All the funds raised are distributed back into the clubs and are used in a variety of ways including maintenance and purchase of new rescue equipment, surf safety education, member development, increasing volunteer memberships and expanding training programs.
Applications for the 2019/2020 ambassadors will open at the conclusion of this year’s program and more information can be found on the Surf Lifesaving Queensland website.