By Ron Lane
The flags may be down for the winter months but at the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club school training programs are still being conducted. Under the supervision of education manager Jonathon Donnelly and supported by nipper administrator Sacha Tapara-Beaton, students from Year 4 to Year 12 are undergoing courses in Surf Education.
‘’Basically,’ said Donnelly, ‘’we first teach confidence in water; how to tread water, stay alive and use different type of surf craft. Then there is the second stage which is the Surf Rescue Certificate and third stage the Bronze Medallion. Following this those wishing to take things further by joining the Nipper movement, will on 17-18 August at 11am have the opportunity to sign on as members. This will take place pool side, Good Sheperd College in Noosaville.’’
“We have everything to offer our youth, fitness, Olympic pools, top coaches and a safe beach. The surf club life, be it in Noosa or Sunshine Beach opens many avenues by teaching the importance of community responsibilities and friendship,” said Sacha.
The role of the nippers in our lifesaving movement is of the utmost importance. At the recent Sunshine Coast Annual Awards of Excellence evening, Lilly Tindal of Noosa received the U18 Life Saver of the Year Award. Having come up through the Nipper ranks this young lady is a credit to both her club and family.
Last weekend a total of eight members, from Coolum Sunshine and Noosa clubs, completed their final assessment in IRB training with all gaining their Silver Medallion as IRB drivers. “With the ever increasing need for courtesy patrols to cover National Park and Alexandria Bay the ongoing training of IRB personal is of the utmost importance.” said Trevor King, acting IRB captain. “With the constant big surf rolling in at A Bay good training surf is always available. This will ensure that those who successfully undergo their finals are fully competent.”
