Ava Weymans from the Moruya Surf Club, and Callum Elliott from the Broulee Surf Club left Moruya Airport on Monday to participate in the four-day event.

Weymans and Elliott found out they had been selected in February, and are looking forward the opportunity.

“I’m excited, and pretty grateful that we got the opportunity to go to Sydney,” Elliott said.

The process for selection was complex, as they both needed to be nominated by their clubs.

Once nominated, the Far South Coast branch chose one male, and one female to participate in the program.

“We went to an interview, and they said we spoke really well, and we were happy with you, and that’s why we’re sending you,” Elliott said.

The Sydney event will entail another presentation on Thursday, as well as leadership training for the young group.

Ava said she’s looking to build her skills as a life saver during the week.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, and building my leadership skills and confidence in different situations,” she said.

Elliott said “everyone has a chance at winning the award”, but the judges will be looking for particular qualities.

“Someone who’s willing to give leadership, and teach others about surf awareness,” he said. 

“If the judges are happy with that, they’ll win that and go on to Aussies.”

Weymans echoed these sentiments, and said every member of a surf club is valuable.

“Everyone has a chance, because they all offer different things to the surf club as an individual,” she said.

“People can show leadership skills, or they can be really good in certain lifesaving situations. It really depends on what they do.”

Ava’s mother Leanne said she was extremely proud of her daughter’s achievement.

“We’re not club people, so we’ve sort of come into the experience because Ava is really into the surf club, and really interested in what it offers her,” she said.

“It’s really amazing that she has achieved this.”​