YOUNG Port Macquarie Surf Lifesaver Jess Rayner has picked up a major award at the Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence.
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Rayner, 19 years old, took home the prestigious NSW Young Life Saver of the Year.
Involved since a youngster and starting out in nippers as many surf life savers do, 2014 was Rayner's first season back in the water after taking a break to complete her HSC.
The honour of receiving the young life saver of the year came as a shock to her, but she was obviously thrilled to be recognised.
"I am over the moon, I wasn't expecting the award at all," she said.
She has been with the Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club for over a decade after her parents encouraged her as a nipper.
"When I went away to do my HSC I lost a bit of interest but I came back this year and got back into it and I guess my hard work has paid off," she said.
"It's great to give back to the community and to be apart of something as special as surf life saving.
"The opportunity is definitely there to go far with things but at the moment I'm just enjoying doing what I'm doing."
Rayner, who has applied to join the Air Force where she can carry over many of her skills from the beach, was humble in accepting the gong.
"You don't do it for recognition or awards," she said.
"It's just something you do because you love it.
"I love the lifestyle, being able to basically live on the beach and spend your days there, coupled with helping people and being so heavily involved with the community."
