By Ron Lane
If Sunday morning Nippers was to be used as an indication of the future of lifesaving in Noosa community, things are indeed looking good.
But Noosa isn’t the only club to be thriving.
Over the hill at Sunshine Beach, numbers are slightly up on last year and in the words of senior club president Craig Law, “We are still holding strong and all indications are for a good season.”
Next weekend the annual Rainbow Beach Nipper Carnival will be held and if this follows previous years it will be another success.
On Saturday morning while on radio patrol at Noosa’s Main beach, I experienced a great example of just how beneficial the Nipper movement can be.
One of the young ladies on our patrol was 19-year-old Grace Anisimoff and after discussing lifesaving in general, I was amazed to learn that this delightful young lady was in her twelfth year, having joined as an Under 8 Nipper.
Regarding her career path, she at present spends part of the year working as a ski instructor in Canada and in the off season can be found at home in Noosa with the family.
Her father Tony is a former patrol member and both her mother Sarah and 17-year-old brother Rupert are on the patrol roster; in fact her mother was a former highly regarded Patrol Captain.
As a result of her responsible job in Canada, her duties as a patrolling member at Noosa, plus her years of learning within the ranks of the Nippers club, we now have a very competent lifesaver on duty at Noosa’s Main Beach. I feel that Grace’s attitude and performance is a direct result of the solid but happy grounding that she received both in the Nippers and at home.
Those who sometimes question the time, effort and money that goes into establishing a good solid Nippers club should maybe spend time talking to the likes of our young Grace Anisimoff.
If doing so, I feel that they would come away very supportive of our Nipper Movement. To the mums and dads – at both Noosa and Sunshine – keep up the good work.
Last weekend the Coolangatta Gold was contested. After a fitting and well-deserved tribute to the late Dean Mercer and the starter’s gun fired by his brother Darren, the race which draws lifesavers from all corners got underway.
This carnival – which apart from the major race – consists of several short course events, and was indeed a great start for the season for both Noosa and Sunshine Beach clubs.
For Noosa, Lana Rogers competing in just her first Open Ladies Coolangatta Gold Endurance event, finishing in fifth place in a time of 4 hours 27 minutes was a great effort; and please note she was up against the best in Australia. Now that she knows just what is involved – who knows what lies ahead for this incredible young lady.
Saturday’s short course events saw good results for both our clubs
Entered in the Girls 19 age division Sunshine came home with the gold medal. The team was Ruby Nolan, Oliver Emanual, Sophie Boulton and Talisa Brady.
For Noosa, their Under 19 Mixed also won gold with a team of Jack Mohr, Jayden Morrow, Tex Dixon and Aurelia Donger. This event which consists of four disciplines – board, ski, swim, and run – is indeed one of the toughest. Congratulations to all involved.
In the Open divisions Noosa’s Allison Pegg won the Ladies Over 50 short course and for an outstanding example of courage (fighting a long illness) Noosa’s Tainui Kaihau – aged 19 – finished sixth in the men’s.
The efforts of both clubs’ competitors have been first class.
