By RON LANE
FOR the three surf clubs in our community Peregian, Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads, there is definitely a positive atmosphere.
For our club mates at Peregian, patrols have started and with the total support of Noosa, beach safety is at its best.
The majority of Noosa’s junior members are taking the opportunity to patrol on this open beach. Apart from helping, it gives them the chance to gain experience that is not available on Noosa’s Main beach.
During their patrols, board rescue work and basic surf swimming skills are practised, and with the ever-changing conditions the lessons are invaluable. So when volunteers are called, they are stepping forward in large numbers.
For both clubs it is a win-win situation.
Sunday morning was the start of the Noosa Nipper season. In what must be one of the biggest turnouts ever, some 400-plus Nippers hit the sand. With Nippers, parents, age managers and water safety officers, Noosas Main beach was almost in need of a traffic cop.
Noosa’s junior activities director Dave Glassock said: “This season we have added more fun events for our kids. This means that while learning surf safety they are also having fun. For those interested in competing there are training and coaching sessions during the week. By doing there is no pressure on the Sunday Nipper who does not wish to compete. We feel this gives a more balanced approach to our programs. We have to be organised, for this season with Noosa and Peregian working together we have some 600 Nippers to cater for.”
These numbers are good indication for the future of lifesaving in our district.
At Sunshine Beach it was a similar story.
Newly appointed junior activities director David Gleeson said: “We have 180 Nippers and this season we have a lot of new families and this gives us more in the 6/7 age group. Add to this a strong under-14 group and all is looking good. For the annual Rainbow Beach Nipper Carnival we have some 75 members wishing to compete. It is figures like this that makes the future of our senior club look good. At present we are undergoing renovations to the downstairs section of the club. This will provide a social atmosphere for our families to mingle and we feel this is vital for club morale.” Regarding the senior club, 25 people have now signed up to train for their bronze medallion.
Also on Saturday, junior members from both Noosa and Sunshine travelled to Alexandra Headland to compete for a place in the Sunshine Coast Representative Team. Those selected will take part in the inter-branch championships to be contested later in the year.
In the masters division of the World Surf Life Saving Titles held at La Grande Motte Beach France, the Noosa Club won a swag of medals.
In the ladies’ division, Allison Pegg won an incredible six gold and Alison Olander won gold, silver and a bronze. For Olander, these results have capped off a remarkable career which saw this lady start as a Noosa Nipper.
After graduating from the Nipper ranks into the senior club, Olander joined the rescue and resuscitation team, winning medals at both state and national titles, first as a cadet then as a junior.
Then on entering the senior ranks she went on to win a silver medal at the national titles on the single ski.
For Olander, whose father Neil is a life-member and past president, her grounding as a Nipper is a great indication of the work being done by this organisation.
