Jasmyn Theuerkauf has spent the past seven months taking on the role of Bundaberg Surf Woman with a goal of promoting women in surf lifesaving while raising funds for her local club.
Surf Woman of the Year 2022 program entrants are responsible for representing the movement in promoting surf safety, fundraising, and the important role of Surf Life Saving in the wider community while featuring learning and development opportunities to benefit each entrant and their respective clubs.
Jasmyn said she had enjoyed every moment of her role which had given her the opportunity to reach out to young people while developing her own personal goals in surf lifesaving.
“Throughout the season we are developing our leadership skills, confidence, knowledge about lifesaving, and skills to help with development in not only our surf lifesaving clubs, but in our wider community,” she said.
“There is also a fundraising aspect to this program which is essential in helping to keep our local beaches safe.”
Jasmyn inspired by Surf Girl Gemma
Jasmyn said she wanted to sign up for the Bundaberg Surf Woman role after being inspired by 2018 Surf Girl Gemma Hendrickson.
“She was kind, caring and had such a positive attitude to helping people out in the surf club and community,” she said.
“I looked up to her and helped where I could. I knew from then I wanted to be a Surf Girl one day.
“Today it is know as Surf Woman but has the common goal of empowering women in surf life saving to become leaders.
“My aim was to follow in her footsteps and to help other girls and ladies find their passion for surf lifesaving which will ultimately help keep our community safe.”
Jasmyn said throughout her time as Bundaberg Surf Woman she had learned many things and was now focusing her efforts on community awareness.
“Community awareness is so important as it is key to reaching Surf Lifesaving Queensland's goal of zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waterways,” she said.
“In the Wide Bay Region I have identified that children aged 16 to 18 years are not receiving educational programs so I have made it a goal to educate every student in this age group receive surf education.
“I have been working with Shalom College to put together a community awareness video and I will be able to give each high school in Bundaberg a copy of this video on a USB for them to deliver to their Year 10 to 12 students.”
Jasmyn said developing her leadership skills was also a priority.
“I have done this by becoming a patrol captain at my surf club,” she said.
“This role is leadership heavy as it requires me to be someone for my patrolling members to look up to.
“It is also important because if there was to be a rescue whilst I am on patrol I am the person who takes charge of the situation and guides my patrol on what is to be done.”
