Young Achiever: Azrael Cabusao, surf lifesaving hero who helps the homeless

Azrael Cabusao was training at Papamoa Beach when he saw a man stuck in a rip and went to help. Photo / George Novak

Azrael Cabusao is not yet old enough to become a lifeguard, but that didn't stop him making his first rescue earlier this year.

The Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club member, who was 12 at the time, was training out the back of the waves at Papamoa Beach when he saw a man stuck in a rip.

"I was just trying to catch a wave in and then I saw this Asian man who had lost his boogie board and was stuck in a rip out the back and no one could help him back in," Azrael said.

"I could just see that no one could hear him over the waves and he looked like he was really in trouble."

Azrael paddled over to the man and put him on the end of his board.

"Then I started paddling in slowly while putting my hand up so some other lifeguards could come in and rescue the rest of the family, who were also in trouble."

That act of bravery in February saw Azrael become one of three finalists for Bay of Plenty – BP Rescue of the Year at the Zespri Bay of Plenty-Coromandel Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence.

He has been a member of the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club for five and a half years now and said his training kicked in that day.

His family are all members of the club – mum is a lifeguard, dad is a coach for Junior Surf and his brother competes as well.

Azrael, who is now 13 and in Year 8 at Papamoa College, is a busy young lad.

He trains and competes in surf lifesaving three or four times a week in the summer, and trains, plays and referees hockey three times a week in the winter.

He also swims two or three times a week before school, starting at 5.30am.

And yet Azrael still finds time to give back to his community as well.

In Term 3 last year, for a school project, he and his friend, Jacob, raised enough money selling sausages to buy 11 sleeping bags for Kai Aroha, a group that helps the homeless in Greerton.

The boys were invited along to the Kai Aroha community meal to give the sleeping bags out and have been going back every Friday since to help.

When Azrael doesn't have hockey, he's there.

He said he enjoys helping people and has met a lot of interesting characters.

"We just serve the food out to the people and then once we're done, we talk to everyone and clean up all the mess and stuff."

Azrael has even inspired his family and friends to join him.

Mum Robynne said: "He got us all involved in Kai Aroha through his school project, and now we all go along each week and help, and other friends have got involved as well because of what he's done."

So, what motivates a 13-year-old to maintain such a busy and generous schedule?

"It's just what I like doing," Azrael said.

"My friends play hockey with me and swim with me and sometimes they come to Kai Aroha."