In the first week of January 2026, at Trigg Beach, four of our U13 Nippers showed that lifesaving skills aren’t just learned — they’re lived.

During the conclusion of a Nippers training session, as conditions changed and large rips began forming offshore, Zeph Spiro, Henry Duguid, Dara Devlin and Luxton Roberts-Loosjes were enjoying a few final waves when they noticed a community member bodyboarding and slowly being pulled further out to sea by a rip.

Drawing on the skills and awareness they’ve developed through the Trigg Island Nippers Program, along with knowledge gained from the Surf Rescue Certificate course they had undertaken earlier that week, the boys acted quickly and calmly. Working together, they confidently guided the person out of the rip and safely back to shore.

The community member later took to a local Facebook group to share their gratitude, describing the boys’ kindness, remarkable courage and calm approach during what could have been a dangerous situation. That moment left a lasting impression — so much so that it inspired them to enrol their own child in the Trigg Island Nippers program once they are old enough.

Just two days later, all four boys successfully attained their Surf Rescue Certificate, officially qualifying them to join club patrols — an incredible milestone in their lifesaving journey.

This incident highlights exactly what the Trigg Island Nippers Program is all about. Beyond surf awareness and personal safety, it builds confidence, teamwork and the ability to step up for others — skills that genuinely save lives and strengthen our community.

It also reflects the collective effort behind every young lifesaver. Our Nipper coaches, Age Managers, trainers and assessors all play a vital role in equipping our youth with the skills, judgement and confidence to recognise an incident and act when it matters most.

For Zeph, Henry, Dara and Luxton, it’s not about recognition — it’s about their love of the surf, giving back to the community, and the friendships and camaraderie that keep them coming back week after week.

Well done boys. You are an asset to Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club and to our wider lifesaving community. We’re incredibly proud of you and look forward to watching your continued growth on your lifesaving journey.

📸 Photo of Zeph, Henry, Dara and Luxton