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Omaha Surf Life Saving Club vice-captain Laura Puckett will head to Taranaki next month to gain the top surf life saving training in New Zealand.
The 19-year-old was the only member from Omaha this year to be selected for the Advance Lifeguard Award training at Fitzroy Beach from December 8 to 10.
“I’m really excited to be participating in this camp as I’m only the second person from Omaha to do so,” Laura says.
The training includes advanced inflatable rescue boat (IRB) driving, first aid, search and rescue, and leadership work.
Laura has an extensive list of achievements already with a Surf Lifeguard Award, IRB Driver Senior Lifeguard Award, Instructors Award and first aid levels one and two.
She started surf life saving aged five and participates in all areas of the sport.
“I love that there’s so much variety with surf life saving, from lifeguarding to first aid to surf sports and more.
“It’s my passion to educate people on beach safety and prevent injury for swimmers, so it’s special for me to provide this service to the community.”
Her role as vice-captain of the club sees her liaise with Surf Life Saving Northern Region and she also acts as patrol captain where she upskills the lifeguards through scenario training.
Outside of training she has made a number of rescues while on duty.
“My most memorable one was my first when I was newly qualified as a lifeguard. My heart was racing.
It was a rough day at Omaha and I spotted two hands up at the back of a rip outside the flagged area. It was two exhausted women trying to swim back to shore, so I got the IRB to pick them up and I swam back.”
Laura has secured a job as a paid lifeguard at various beaches across the region this season.
