DFK Benjamin King Money is proud to support one of our own, Cooper Goulding, as he prepares to represent Australia at one of the most prestigious events in the world of surf lifesaving — the Judge Irvin Taplin Medley Relay, held annually in California.
The Lifeguard Taplin Relay is the most esteemed lifeguard competition in the United States. Held under the lights at night to ensure lifeguards can patrol beaches during the day, the event features teams of swimmers, board paddlers, and 2-man dory crews.
The event has run annually since 1936, with exceptions only during World War II and the 2020 pandemic. Each year, elite teams of 16 members from across Southern California — and occasionally international teams — gather to compete for the honour of holding the “Taplin Bell” perpetual trophy.
This year, Cooper Goulding will be competing in the 2-man dory crew as part of a visiting international club (VIC) team representing the Half Moon Bay Life Saving Club, Victoria’s oldest life saving club, founded in 1910.
Cooper, who has dedicated over 20 years to surf lifesaving, was recently named Club Person of the Year — a testament to his passion, leadership, and commitment to the community.
This marks a significant opportunity for the club, which last sent a VIC team to California two years ago, narrowly missing first place. With determination and rigorous training, the team is hoping to claim victory this year, as well as develop their skills and learn from the Californian lifeguards so that they can patrol our beaches in Victoria better.
To support their journey, the club is raising funds to cover essential expenses including uniforms, travel, and accommodation. Cooper and his teammates will travel to Los Angeles in late July to train and will compete in the California State Championships the week prior to the Taplin Relay. They will also attend the Lifeguard Medal of Valor Ceremony, a formal event recognising the incredible courage and heroism of lifeguards across the state.
At BKM, we are inspired by Cooper’s dedication to both his profession and his life-saving passion. We are proud to contribute $3,000 to support his team’s travel and participation in the event. During this time, we are also providing Cooper with flexible work arrangements to accommodate his travel and training schedule.
If you would like to support Cooper and the HMB Lifesaving Club, you can donate directly to their website here. Just make sure you mention “Taplin Bell – Cooper” in the description!
We wish Cooper and the Half Moon Bay team the best of luck as they represent not just their club, but also Australian lifesaving on an international stage. We’ll be cheering them on as they race for the Taplin Bell!
