Published on: 24 September 2026





Recently at Scarborough Beach, Year 9 student Aidan Astbury spotted a man struggling in a rip and knew he needed to act. Aidan, a City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club cadet who began Nippers training at six years old, swam out to help and supported the man until they could safely return to shore.

It is the same knowledge and skills being developed by the 63 Christ Church students who take part in the Year 10 Surf Life Saving Cadet Program, delivered through North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club. Over the weekend, cadets who elected to sit their Bronze Medallion certification completed the dry components of their assessment, with the wet components to be assessed in Term 4.

The cadets were assessed by experienced external examiners across First Aid, radio operation, resuscitation and a range of emergency scenarios. After a weekend of putting their training into practice, all cadets who sat the assessment successfully passed the dry components of their Bronze Medallion.

With Perth’s coastline such a significant part of life for many of our students, knowing how to read the water, recognise a rip and respond in an emergency is an important skill. Aidan’s recent experience shows just how valuable that training can be.

Thank you to the staff and parents who supported our cadets throughout the weekend.

Watch Channel 10’s report on Aidan’s rescue here.