Beachport wins back-to-back-national awards

Beachport Surf Life Saving Club has gone back-to-back at the National Awards of Excellence adding the 2023 Innovation Award to its 2022 Community Education Award.

Presented last month in Sydney, Julie and Shannon Moran (pictured right) were on hand to accept the honour.

Last year, the club was presented with the National Community Education program of the year for the School Nippers program which has been delivered to more than 300 students over the past few years, while this year it was recognised for its Off Grid Beach Precinct, which has truly flourished over the past 12 months.

New additions include storage and clubhouse facilities through shipping containers, a community defibrillator, and an off-grid power system which reduces costs and environmental impact.

“It’s a wonderful recognition of the club’s innovation, sustainability, and community efforts which have set a new standard for surf lifesaving clubs,” Julie said.

The club has also recently celebrated the official opening of their clubhouse facilities which were utilised to host a statewide IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) competition earlier this year.

More than 60 people attended the opening ceremony (pictured below left) including previous committee and foundation members, representatives from Wattle Range Council and Portland Surf Life Saving Club.

Club president Peter Phillips reflected on the journey the club has taken from the concept in April 2015, to Come and Try sessions, transporting equipment to the beach each week for Nipper sessions to the incredible facilities and resources enjoyed today.

The project was also made possible thanks to the support of sponsors including the Beachport Lions Club.

The Nippers and Youth programs kicked off at the weekend at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre with the Junior Preliminary Evaluations for the season with water and land based activities as well as free parent water safety training.

Nipper and Youth sessions will be held in Beachport from January following on from the Beachport VACSWIM program (see below).

More information on how to join can be found on the Beachport Surf Life Saving facebook page or website.

BEACHPORT VACSWIM PROGRAM

Enrolments are now open for the 2023/24 Beachport VACSWIM program – one of the most popular holiday water safety initiatives in the state. Beachport provides the second largest program in regional South Australia with a record 277 enrolments earlier this year.

The Beachport program primarily attracts participants from the South East region, but also extends to interstate and regional/metro SA.

VACSWIM is South Australia’s longest running summer holiday program, giving over 11,000 children aged 3 – 12 confidence in and around the water. At the beach, participants learn about swimming and survival skills, including currents and rips, waves, and other beach hazards such as marine life. Older participants learn how to perform rescues safely at the beach and administer first aid treatment, including CPR.

There is also the opportunity for older participants to complete the Community Surf Rescue Certificate or continue with the Beachport Surf Life Saving Club to be awarded a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion and patrol with the club.

Beachport VACSWIM registrations have now hit 195 enrolments for the upcoming program, which will run from Tuesday, January 2, to Saturday, January 6. Instructors have been in the water over the past few weeks completing updates in preparation, while additional staff will also be employed and patrolling from the jetty and nearby beaches.

VACSWIM enrolments are now open across the state, with 130+ programs running across nearly 120 beaches, lakes, pools and rivers. The season will kick off in the December school holidays as five-day blocks, with children able to participate in more than block and undertake in both a pool and beach program. Participants can enrol online via https://www.vacswimsa.com.au/enrol