AS THE Torquay Surf Life Saving Club begins celebrations for its 50th year of Nippers, its Piping Hot Summer Holiday Program, for children aged 5 to 13, has a record number of participants this year.<\/p>\n
Torquay SLSC junior development director Scott McCardel said there were 330 Nippers registered this season and more than 220 participated across the eight-day summer program, with a great mix of local and visiting families.<\/p>\n
The program is structured to introduce children to basic beach and water safety, lifesaving skills and overall awareness around an aquatic environment.<\/p>\n
While Nippers doesn\u2019t replace swimming lessons \u2013 all participants (from age 8 upwards) must complete a swimming competency in order to be involved \u2013 it is a great way to build on existing water skills and to start the journey towards becoming active patrolling lifesavers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe common misconception many parents have is that because their children are confident in the pool, this automatically transfers to open water environments,\u201d Mr McCardel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Summer Holiday Program helps with that transition, teaching kids about rips, basic lifesaving signals, identifying dangerous situations, along with swimming techniques, board skills, wading and beach activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many Nippers will continue to train on Wednesdays and Sundays, competing in carnivals through to the state championships in March.<\/p>\n
Mr McCardel said he encouraged all existing Nippers to keep participating in training and coming carnivals, and that it was never too late for new Nippers to join.<\/p>\n
Phone Mr McCardel on 0439 305 688 or email nippers.tslsc@gmail.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS THE Torquay Surf Life Saving Club begins celebrations for its 50th year of Nippers, its Piping Hot Summer Holiday Program, for children aged 5 to 13, has a record number of participants this year. Torquay SLSC junior development director Scott McCardel said there were 330 Nippers registered this season and more than 220 participated […]<\/p>\n