Brendan Smart

 
Brendan Smart at Smiths Beach Rescue base

Brendan Smart at Smiths Beach Rescue base

Brendan Smart has been a successful Chief Instructor for 5 seasons, delivering record numbers of new members and member qualificiations, Patrol Captain for 4 seasons, a Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Crew Member and Lifeguard for 7 seasons

 

When did you join the club?

I joined the club in the 2008/2009 season.

Why did you become involved in Surf Life Saving?

I became involved in Surf Life Saving because my parents bought a beach house at Smiths Beach. My parents wanted my three younger brothers and I to learn to look after ourselves and each other in the surf and so signed us up to the Woolamai Nippers program.

What drew you towards being a Board member of Woolamai Beach SLSC?

Woolamai Beach SLSC has given me so many opportunities. I was lucky enough to be a Patrol Captain for 4 seasons, Chief Instructor for 5 seasons and be supported in becoming a Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Crew Member and Lifeguard for 7 seasons; and so I wanted to give back to the Club.

Who were/are your mentors in Surf Life Saving?

I have/have had many mentors in Surf Life Saving including past and present Board members, Patrol Captains, Chief Instructors, fellow Helicopter Crew, Chief Lifeguards and many more. Surf Life Saving and in particular Woolamai has no shortage of good mentors and I would argue that no one is too old or too young to be a mentor to another member.

What keeps you going in your leadership journey?

The leadership journey isn’t always easy. There are lots of late nights and things that go unseen but the thing that keeps me going is the great people of this Club and the wider lifesaving movement. Time and time again I see the bar risen to new levels and to be part of that and able to be able to help is self motivating.



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