On Sunday 1st December we had a great evening of fun and celebration for our annual Christmas Quiz and Awards Evening at East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft.
This year we decided to add an extra bit of fun to the occasion with an award for best themed team for the quiz – hence the crazy awards photos! It was a great turnout for the event and another fabulous fundraiser too, with the evening raising and incredible £480 for the Club. Thanks Karen Ayers for all your hard work yet again.
Despite Sam and Nick’s team’s fantastic outfits (Cruella Deville and the Dalmatians), they were pipped to the post and the award for best themed table went to "The Clamtastic Octopi", AKA Bridget and Ben Every, Josh, Mandy and Rob Stephens and Ollie, Sally and Andy Owen with their ‘Under the Sea’ theme.
Of course it's great to celebrate Christmas, but the evening was also about celebrating the achievements of our club members in 2024. This year has been an incredible year for Waveney Surf Lifesaving Club and we’re so proud of all our members. The coaches and committee thought long and hard before deciding the recipients this year and are delighted to announce the 2024 winners! Drum roll please.....
Best Attendance – Emma Read
Emma’s commitment to the Club has been outstanding this year. Come rain or shine, Emma always brings a smile to training and a determination to do her best. Not only does she give her all to youth training sessions but can often be seen helping out at Nipper training, supporting her younger club mates. Emma is a great asset to the youth section and fabulous role model for the Nippers. Well done Emma – we are all really proud of you!
Nipper of the Year – Jack Reeve
Turning up regularly to sessions throughout the year, Jack has shown great skill across the board on land and sea. He is always there with a cracking smile on his face and is always up for a challenge and learning a new skill. This September Jack competed in the Regional Surf lifesaving event and did the club proud. He's recently passed his Bronze Award too. Great work Jack - keep up the good work!
Youth of the Year – Ollie Owen
Longstanding clubbie, Ollie joined the Club in 2017 aged 9. Becoming a beach lifeguard has been his ambition since the very beginning and this year Ollie passed his SLSGB Beach Lifeguard qualification and proudly wore the red and yellow uniform completing his first season as and RNLI lifeguard. He also took park in the Level 1 coaching course, competed at the Nationals at Branksome Chine in August, won a couple of medals at the Eastern Regions Championship, and represented the Eastern Region at the Celtic Cup in Wales in September. Congratulations Ollie – it’s been awesome to see you grow. What a year!
Senior of the Year – Kev Read
Kevin started coming to training as supportive parent of Emma and Anya, watching from the side lines. It was Autumn 2023 when he decided to give it a go himself, taking part in the senior swim coaching course at Water Lane. 2024 has been his first season on the beach and he has gone from strength to strength. He has trained incredibly hard, and his skills have improved tremendously. He took part in individual and team events at the Eastern Regions Championships and has also trained as a Level 1 Coach. Kevin’s love and enthusiasm for the sport is apparent at every session and he encourages and supports each and every one of his peers. Well done Kev, it’s great to have you on board (and you rock the Snow White vibe)!
Sportsperson of the Year – Ella Tolliday
Completing here lifeguard qualification through the Club a few years back, Ella decided to step back into WSLSC fully this year having returned to the area after her time in Falmouth. She has been a regular at training and was a great help in delivering the 'Women in Waves' program that launched in the summer.
Ella stepped up to the plate at this year's Eastern Regions, then took part in her first ever Open Nationals competition where she claimed a Silver medal in the women's open tube rescue race, which really is the ultimate race in the national competition program. To top off her achievements, Ella was selected to represent the Eastern Regions at the inter regional Celtic Cup in Wales this September.
Ella wasn't there on the night to receive her award as she is currently continuing her lifeguarding adventures in New Zealand with Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club (where Nick coached). Safe travels Ella - we look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.
Clubbie of the Year – Will Harker
What can we say about Will? Will LOVES surf lifesaving - his enthusiasm is electric! He’s also a strong and talented sports person in and out of the water and we’re looking forward to watching him develop his skills and fitness even further in years to come. This year Will took part in the Nippers National Championships at Branksome Chine for the second time. He was also a key player at Eastern Regions bagging medals in various events. His efforts to fundraise for the club have been tremendous too, making and selling keyrings and wrist bands in club green and black. Well done Will – you’re a great ambassador for our Club. Keep up the good work!
Special thanks must go to Mossy Spillings, who crafted and donated this incredible trophy this year. This is truly special and going to be a big part of our Club for years to come.
Congratulations to our 2024 winners and a massive well done to each and every one of our members who came to training this year. It's been such an amazing year and we're looking forward to what 2025 brings. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2025.
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