STATE TITLES SPECIAL
EVERY GOLD COAST CLUB COMPETITOR
THE Breetzkes could be the Gold Coast’s fittest family.
Dad Brian once represented South Africa in surf lifesaving while mum Theresa is a keen runner having previously competed in the Gold Coast Marathon.
Callum, now 20, won the under-19 champion lifesaver event at the 2016 and 2017 Aussies and Jenna, 18, represents Queensland in water polo.
All four are set to compete for Northcliffe across multiple events at the Queensland State Surf Lifesaving Championships but you won’t find any family rivalry among the Breetzke clan.
“We love keeping healthy and active as a family and encouraging and supporting one another,” Theresa said.
“We used to do running races against each other at the beach but now it’s all about supporting one another.”
Brian was the first to fall in love with surf lifesaving and his family soon followed.
“I was six years old when I got involved,” Brian said.
“I progressed through Nippers and into senior lifesaving then the kids started coming along so I got them involved.”
Jenna said: “We’ve been brought up with it and we were always at the beach since we were young so we fell in love with it straight away.”
After moving to the Gold Coast four and a half years ago, the Breetzkes were quick to get involved in the local surf lifesaving scene.
“We came over from South Africa a few years ago and started at Northcliffe when we got here and have been involved ever since,” Theresa said.
“We chose Northcliffe because it’s the best club in the world. Brian agreed.
“It’s a great club filled with great people coupled with a good club atmosphere,” he said.
When not training for Northcliffe, Callum volunteers his time patrolling the iconic sands of Surfers Paradise beach and training the next generation of lifesavers.
“I’m currently the chief training officer so I help train new lifesavers and current lifesavers using the rescue boats and stuff like that,” he said. “It’s a good way to help out the community.”
The family are confident that their club is well placed to add another title to the trophy cabinet after remaining unbeaten at the state championships since 2004.
“We’ve won Aussies a lot in the past few years so I think we’re in with a good chance,” Jenna said.
Brian added: “We’ll give it our best shot.”