These are the observations from Birubi Surf Lifesaving Club's chief training officer and patrol captain for the past four years, 65-year-old Steve Fogwill, who comes with 50 years of experience in the fields of teaching, training and mentoring.

"We have a very strong training program here at Birubi with many of our nippers going through to do their bronze medallion and resuscitation training," Fogwill said.

"The skills the kids learn through these courses are invaluable. They learn how to act responsibly in public, it gives them a standard of behaviour they have to adhere to and they develop a set of skills which they can use for future jobs.

"It's character building and we are super proud of the young kids developing into young adults."

A Central Coast and North Bondi surf club junior, Steve Fogwill joined the Anna Bay-based club after moving to Port Stephens seven years ago as head science teacher at Tomaree High.

He says the club's training techniques and standards are some of the best across the country.

"This club is fortunate to have a team of eight trainers who run two bronze medal and surf rescue certificate (SRC) training programs every season, conducted over two months," he said.

"We are currently running our first (Oct-Nov) session for the 2019-20 season and will be looking for members to register for our second session in Feb-Mar. The minimum age for the bronze medallion is 13 and 15 for SRC."

The club also runs first aid, advanced resuscitation, spinal management and IRB drivers and crew. A silver medal aquatic rescue special course in retrieval is also available.

"We also have a strong relationship with the Fingal surf lifesaving club and work collaboratively on many of the training programs available."

Birubi president Helen Ratcliffe said that the club was proud of its training record over many years, providing students with the skills and experience to become future surf lifesaving members on the Port's patrolled beaches at Anna Bay, One Mile and Fingal Bay.