Member Spotlight - Caitlin Herm

I was born into Ulverstone Surf Club! It's likely that I have been a 'member' for a total of only 5 years, starting as a Nipper at Ulverstone.

13 years + 1 year after rejoining for the 24/25 season.

Surf Life Saving – and especially the beach – has always been a part of my life. I was born into it.

As a baby, I was passed around for cuddles (especially with Danny and Binni) while my mum taught swimming and lifesaving. I may be remembered as the toddler with a plaster cast on their legs. Growing up, I spent countless hours at carnivals and on patrol with older members – many now Life Members of Ulverstone.

When I was 11, we moved to Port Sorell and became some of the first members of a new club (run out of a caravan!). At 13, we moved to Devonport, where I earned my Bronze Medallion at 15. I trained in all conditions, paddling daily on the new mal board I received for Christmas. Before that, my coach had me on a heavy old Bennet tank – and I still hear their words: “If you can’t carry it, you can’t paddle it!”

At 16, I moved to the Gold Coast and joined Southport Surf Life Saving Club. We made the U16 board relay finals at the Aussies. I injured my leg during the final but managed to hop across the finish line for 5th place – a bittersweet moment.

I returned to Devonport the following season, continuing patrols and surf carnivals, and I think I was in the U18s when I stood on the podium second to Emily - from memory, this was the board race at Clifton. I got close, but I could never get passed Emily, haha!

I was also coaching the nippers and being a leader at the Tasmanian Surf Camps. These camps were key in forming friendships outside of competition – first as a participant and later as a leader. Many of those friends, like me, have now returned to Surf Life Saving with their own little families.

Surf Life Saving shaped my teen years. I attended events across Tasmania and the Australian Championships with my parents, who were officials. I was often a patient in life-saving competition scenarios and lost count of the times I was flipped off rescue boards and how many mouthfuls of seawater I copped! A standout memory was holding the fluffy microphone for a TV crew at the Aussies when I was 15, capturing raw moments of competitors crossing the finish line.

After 12 years in WA and three hip surgeries, I’ve come full circle—back home, back to Ulverstone, and back to Buttons Beach. My partner Julian and I recently completed our Bronze together, and now our son Zale is following in our footsteps as a Nipper, with his grandparents also cheering him on. The same community spirit and intergenerational bonds that shaped my childhood, I hope, are now shaping his.

There’s something really rewarding about being part of a group that’s there to keep the beach safe. It’s also a great chance to connect with other members, share knowledge, and enjoy the outdoors while giving back to the community.

Anything board-related is a favourite for me. At the most recent Masters carnival, I hadn’t planned to compete and didn’t even pack my bathers—but I was encouraged by other members to give it a go! I quickly drove home to grab my gear and ended up wearing a club cap! It reminded me how great it feels to be part of a team. I especially enjoyed the board relay and Taplin events.

I’m excited about what lies ahead and feel motivated to give back to a community that has given me so much. I’m especially passionate about being involved in coaching and helping create positive, memorable experiences for the next generation of Nippers. It’s important to me to help grow their love for Surf Life Saving—just as others did for me when I was younger.

This season, I’ll be more actively involved by joining a few of the Club’s sub-committees, contributing behind the scenes to help things run smoothly. Now that my son is a Nipper, I’m putting my hand up to support the younger members.

I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with long-time members while also getting to know many new faces. It’s been especially rewarding to see strong bonds forming within our Nipper community, and I’d love to continue nurturing that positive, inclusive environment where everyone can feel welcome and supported.

Success starts with the people—and at Ulverstone, we’re fortunate to have members with a wealth of experience in running carnivals, as well as many who are eager to get involved, learn, and contribute. By giving our members the opportunity to step up, share their knowledge, and support one another, we can build a strong, collaborative team. Harnessing that mix of experience and enthusiasm is key to delivering successful, well-organised carnivals.