Hollis Babich of Invermere was among 23 recipients of Bravery Awards from the Lifesaving Society at the 107th annual Honour & Rescue Award Ceremony on Saturday, March 9 at the Hotel Vancouver.

Along with other dignitaries, Burnaby North MLA Janet Routledge was in attendance to recognize these heroes for their bravery in making water-related rescues.

Over the Victoria Day long weekend last year, 12-year-old Hollis Babich was camping with his family at Wasa Lake Provincial Park. Many other families were also there from Invermere, including Barrett and Jen Cowles and their sons, seven-year-old Cassius and four-year-old Oki.

At the beach, Hollis and Cassius were playing in the water on an inflated tube. Hollis is a very strong swimmer having taken Red Cross swimming and water safety classes from an early age. Being younger, Cassius was not as confident in the water.

They were in shallow water and able to stand, but the tube was caught by a breeze and started to drift away. Hollis began to swim toward the tube to catch it and Cassius yelled that he would help too but suddenly found himself in deeper water where he was no longer able to touch the bottom.

He struggled and his head kept going under the water. He yelled for help several times and was clearly in distress but was at a distance from the beach that others either did not hear him or were too far to be able to help. Hollis’ aunt was kayaking on the lake and saw the boy in trouble but was also too far away to get to him quickly.

Hollis immediately turned around and swam the 15 metres or so back to Cassius. By the time he reached Cassius, the younger boy had gone under the water many times and it was clear he would not be able to resurface without help. Hollis took hold of Cassius from behind and towed him safely back to shore.

It was later learned that from the beach, Cassius’ parents had helplessly witnessed Cassius struggling and the rescue by Hollis, knowing their son was in serious trouble but too far away to help him themselves.

For his quick thinking and using his water safety skills, young Hollis Babich was presented with a Silver Medal for Bravery. Hollis also received the George A. Brown Memorial Award consisting of a gold medal engraved with “Courage and Determination” and a $500 scholarship award to assist him in taking more lifesaving courses. He has expressed an interest in becoming a lifeguard.

Each year this prestigious ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the heroism and bravery of aquatic rescuers in B.C. with over 200 guests in attendance.

The Lifesaving Society (also known as Royal Life Saving Society) is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to reduce water-related death and injury. The Society has been educating the public and training lifesavers and lifeguards in B.C. since 1911.

Royal Life Saving Society

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