Parklands teen to compete in Netherlands

Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club member Matthew Brooker, 17, of Parklands, is preparing to represent his country at an international lifesaving competition.

Matthew will be part of South Africa’s Presidential Youth Team competing against several other countries in the Orange Cup in the Netherlands next month.

Matthew said his passion for lifesaving was sparked after his father, Gavin, introduced him to surfing at the age of 8.

He has won several medals in a number of water sport competitions since he was 10.

Matthew’s mother, Nicci, said she was proud of her son but a bit nervous as it was the first time he would be going overseas by himself.

She gave credit to her husband, a lifelong bodyboarder and surfer, for introducing Matthew to the ocean.

“I was really not into the beach because I didn’t like sand. My husband said we’ve got to get the kids down to the beach; we’re going get them into the nippers.

“From day one, Matthew loved it; he fell in love with the ocean, he fell in love with the whole sport of lifesaving.”