It was 10 years to the day on Saturday the Seahorse Nippers program began in Noosa to give children with a disability an opportunity to join in a nippers program and gain confidence in the ocean.
The smiles on their faces show what it means to them.
Steve and Nikki Mawby joined Noosa Surf Lifesavers from Pambula Beach NSW where a modified nippers program had been developed by a couple of families with children with special needs.
After moving to Noosa, Steve and Nikki contacted the group for help to bring something similar to Noosa.
“Peter and Michelle Booth helped us launch that program here 10 years ago today,“ Steve said on Saturday.
From a handful of people, the program that runs for four weeks twice a year has evolved and grown.
There were about 35 children on Saturday but some weeks up to 50 children take part in the program assisted by about 80 volunteers, Steve said.
Children like Daisy, who has been coming along with carer Bianca for the past year or two, turn up for about an hour on a Saturday morning.
“It gets all the kids involved in a community activity they wouldn’t otherwise be able to be involved in,“ Bianca said.
“She loves it.“
Steve said the morning begins with modified nipper beach activities including flag races.
An obstacle course teaches the kids to negotiate across uneven ground and going through tunnels simulating the experience of walking into the surf and going under waves.
Then everyone hits the water to ride body boards and kayaks in a safe and assisted way.
“It’s about participation and building confidence in the water and on the beach,“ Steve said.
Many volunteers have returned year after year, working as a team to provide the program, and the joy they see on the faces of the kids made it so satisfying, Steve said.
Noosa was the first club in Queensland to bring in the program and others are now following in their footsteps.
