For the Noosa Seahorse Nippers last Saturday morning was definitely a good continuation to the season for the Seahorse Nippers. Mid-week it looked like being a hard one but by Friday afternoon the necessary numbers for duty lifesavers required to work with the little people was spot on.
For the Saturday morning activities approximately 42 Nippers had signed up, and to work as helpers 55 qualified lifesavers reported for duty: of these, happy to relate that eight lifesavers were from the Sunshine Beach Surf Club. It was great to see the two clubs working together for such a worthy cause. The usual Bus Boys team that conveyed the parents from the Lions Park to Noosa’s Main Beach was there to ensure that the short journey was made in safety, and with little fuss.
It is always a great way to start the morning. For a lot of the nippers who have now been members for a couple of years, they will often emerge from the bus looking for their favourite lifesaver: if they can’t see him, will want to know who is going to look after them in the water and on the beach. Once they spot him, he will always be treated, with a big grin and a tiny hand waving a high five.
The activities start at 8am, with a parent and lifesaver briefing. Then there is a warmup, maybe an obstacle course, modified flags, a ski paddle, a swim with a rescue tube, and maybe a few signals. A run on the beach, then maybe building a sandcastle or two. All in a morning of fun at the beach: and under the supervision of their qualified lifesaver. Then it’s back to the bus, a happy smile, a wave of the hand and a big, “See yuh,” and a happy child and parent goes home. Until next weekend.
The happy smiling faces of the Sunshine Beach crew and their Noosa Minder says it all
It’s that time of the year again when the best of the best takes the surf to contest the big one the Coolangatta Gold. Run over two days on 12-13 October with the short course and the long course being contested, it will be the first Coolangatta Gold , for a young 20 year old Noosa Clubbie Finella Gibbs-Beal.
Already established as an open water marathon swimmer Finella said, ‘’It’s my first and I am really excited about doing it. Previously I had watched the event and thought it would be cool to have a go: so here am.” Training under Noosa Head Coach Darren Mercer himself a former iron man legend Finella is fully aware of, what lies ahead.
As a young girl she spent two years living in New Zealand then on returning to Queensland she settled in Noosa: and at age 8 joined the under 8 Noosa Nippers. On joining the nippers, she found she liked it that much that she moved right up through into the senior ranks and finally settling into surf sports. Having a natural liking for the open water swimming she found her liking for the marathon.
It was after competing in a few marathons that Finella went and had a good look at the Coolangatta Gold and the rest is now history. Down through the years Finella has won several 10kl open water swims and has also represented Australia. It was during her time as a team member that on one occasion she met a fellow team mate( an iron man to boot) Kai Robertson and Kai was to become the boyfriend.
Settling down just after the Australian championships she teamed up with her present coach Darren Mercer and learned to paddle the ski: this is a major leg in the Gold.
Now having registered for the gold, Finella has just completed a solid 4-month training program’. So, we wish both Finella and Darren all the very best.
Now over the hills at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club the 8, 9, and 10yr olds are learning a n Skills for Life Program which teachers them ocean awareness, wave knowledge and gives them valuable swimming and board skills. The kids learn how to read the tides, wind and swells and become great little ocean and women.
This is a program which is run by head coach and former Nutri-Grain Ironman Wes Berg and focuses on an early introduction training allowing which teachers the kids to feel comfortable in the water. ‘’Skills for Life is one of my favourite elements of being a coach. It is the absolute beginning of the ocean journey where our youngest nippers are learning and growing in the water every single session.
The excitement and joy on the kids’ facers when they get their first good wave or body surf from the break to the shore is one of the most special parts of lifesaving. I have been lucky to teach my three kids this way and to share with this beautiful group each year is very rewarding,” says coach Berg. “Skills for Life sees over 30-40 sunshine nippers come together each week at 6am in the morning enjoying the best part of the day.’’
The teaching of such awareness is of the utmost importance in the life of our young lifesavers. For me personally, I was taught these lessons by our Noosa guru of body surfing, the late Phil Cave: and despite being taught these lessons some 66 seasons ago, I still remember them as though it was yesterday. So, to Phil, my mentor and Wes, my friend, many thanks to you both.
Weightlifting.
The youngies of the Noosa Barbell club are once again on the move. Kase Dowd and Cooper Ward are finalising prep for the U15 and youth national weightlifting championships which will be held the weekend 18-20 October in Tasmania. Kase will be competing in the M73 kg classification and Cooper in the M81kg classification. The boys are looking good to finish the season on a high and the Noosa Barbell club community wish them good luck and good fortune in their respective events.
The club will also be hosting the final Queensland club round on 2 November from 9 30am if anyone is interested in seeing a live competition pop into the club on Lionel Donovan drive@ CrossFit 4566. There will be a small craft contest,
Outriggers.
With the warmer weather here now comes a sense of excitement about the upcoming season. From Colin Jones comes the following news. There will be a small craft contest for OC1s, OC2s and OC3s as well as V1and V2 at Raby Bay on October 19th. This will be closely followed by the Pan PACS on the Gold Coast on November the 2nd and 3rd
Then there is the Mooloolaba Paddlers Island Ocean Paddle on November9th and at the end of the month our very own Noosa River Race on November 30th. The club is always looking for new members so check out Noosa outriggers. com.au and register for a “come and try day”
