Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Sue Bussell became Denmark Surf Life Saving Club’s oldest person to achieve a bronze medallion when she completed her course this year.

Sue, 69, first got involved with the club after moving to Denmark three years ago.

“I’ve always loved the ocean but I’ve always lived away from the beach so moving here was a great opportunity to get involved in the club,” she said.

Sue started by signing up for the club’s surf rescue certificate and did water safety for the club’s nipper program.

She did other rescue and first aid courses and put in more than 20 hours as a surf patrol member.

It was when she saw a group of club members doing their Bronze Medallion re-qualifications that she struck on the idea to put up her hand and ‘give it a go’.

Sue very happy with bronze

Sue considered herself a reasonably good swimmer and that the most challenging part of the qualification was the timed beach run component.

The so-called run-swim-run, each of the three legs of 200m, is completed within eight minutes.

Other components include board skills, team rescues, first aid and CPR.

“I learnt so much especially when it came to the team rescues as we work together knowing that everyone has a different strength,” Sue said.

She found the whole experience a worthy challenge that she is 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?”

Participants need a reasonable fitness level and good mobility and it doesn’t matter if they don’t have all the necessary skills as trainers, like Mark Williamson, will teach the skills.

“Age should be no barrier and if I can get my Bronze at nearly 70 then anyone can,” Sue said.

Anyone interested in enrolling in courses this coming surf club season can contact the club at education@denmarksurf.com.au.

This article appeared in Denmark Bulletin, 7 August 2025.