BETWEEN THE FLAGS WITH RON LANE
SATURDAY 8am was a case of third time lucky, with the heavy rain holding off while the Noosa Surf Club conducted its third Saturday for the Seahorse Nippers; another great attendance 35 special nippers on the beach and 50 plus carers there to cover their every need.
This Saturday will indeed be a morning for the Seahorse Nippers to remember.
Not only will it be the day when they receive their certificates of encouragement and club T-shirts, but also on this day, members of the National Council, the governing body for Surf Life Saving Australia, will be in attendance to gain firsthand knowledge of this great organisation.
With word of their success spreading, not only to local clubs but also interstate, it is absolutely imperative that those at the top of the lifesaving movement become fully informed of the incredible work being done to help the families of our children in need.
One of the chief organisers Nikki Mawby said: “One of the best things is the notes of encouragement we have received from families.
“It is things like this that makes it all worthwhile.”
As with all organisations it is the workers behind the scenes that really make it happen.
One such person is Lorna Garden.
Lorna has been with the Seahorses since the beginning of the project.
“I suppose you could say that my major job is that of liaison officer for the families.
“I meet with Nikki during the week and we work on the paring of the children and their helpers.”
This aspect of the program is of the utmost importance because it is vital for the children to feel at ease with their carers. For Lorna who works as a sports dietician, it all started 10 years ago when she joined the Peregian Club working with nippers and eventually obtaining her bronze.
Transferring to Noosa she has for the past four years held the responsible position of Patrol Captain.
These duties plus her outstanding contribution to the Seahorses makes this lady someone who our club and the community at large should be very proud of.
Another such worker who has also been with the Seahorses since the start is Lachlan Lansdown.
At 18 years of age Lachie is right at home in the world of surf lifesaving.
During the weekdays he works as a lifeguard and on weekends he is a rostered member of Patrol 14.
“I remember when we first started I was with a little fellow who just did not stop, he was darting around all over the place.”
Now three years later he said: “Nothing has changed, they are still hard to keep up with,” but he added with a smile “it is all very rewarding”.
Lachie’s career in lifesaving started as a under 11 Nipper.
On becoming an under 13 he obtained his Surf Rescue Certificate and on entering the senior club passed his bronze medallion.
For this young man one of the big attractions was board racing.
“I found board competition a real challenge,” he said.
Season 2013, as a member of the Noosa Taplin under 17 relay team competing in the National Titles at Kirra Beach, his team won the silver medal.
However this was not his only success that year because competing as a team member in the Molokai 2 Oahu board relay over a distance of 52 kilometres his team won gold.
This year he will do the race again, the only difference being he wants to go solo, all 52 kilometres, so as you can see our Seahorses Nippers are in good hans.
