Sue Bussell loves a challenge and her achievement in gaining her Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallion at age 69 is testament to that.
Sue is now one of the oldest people in WA to achieve a Bronze Medallion which has also led her to become the oldest person in her local Denmark club to do so.
Sue said she first got involved with the surf club after retiring and moving to Denmark just under four years ago.
“I love the ocean but I’ve always lived away from the beach so moving here was a great opportunity to get involved in a surf club,” she said.
Sue started by signing up for the club’s surf rescue certificate so she could help out on summer Sundays as a water safety volunteer with the very busy nipper program.
She then went on to other, more advanced, rescue qualifications and first aid courses and then started volunteering as a local surf patrol member.
It was when she saw a group of club members doing their Bronze Medallion requalifications that she struck on the idea to put up her hand and ‘give it a go’.
Sue said she already considered herself a reasonably good swimmer and that the most challenging part of the qualification was the timed beach run component.
“It’s called the run-swim-run and each of the three legs is 200 metres and done straight after each other all in eight minutes. It’s pretty intense but incredibly satisfying when you finish it.”
Other components include board skills, team rescues, first aid and CPR. Trainees are also taught signalling and operating various pieces of vital equipment.
“I learnt so much, especially when it came to the team rescues as we work together, knowing that everyone has different strengths.”
Sue said she found the whole experience a worthy challenge that she is incredibly proud of.
“It’s social, it’s engaging and you’re down here at the most beautiful beach in the world, so why wouldn’t you do it.”
Sue is keen to see other older men and women try out for their Bronze and added that, while you do need a reasonable fitness level and good mobility, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the necessary skills as surf club trainers are always there to teach you.
“Age should be no barrier and if I can get my Bronze at nearly 70 then anyone can.”
