Everyone enjoys Nippers at Anglesea

ANGLESEA’S Starfish Nipper program has grown more than 40 per cent in the last two years.

More than 20 children and young adults with a disability took to the water this summer to learn about beach safety.

The popular Starfish Nipper program at Anglesea is a modified nipper program where participants with a disability take part in activities including swimming, board paddling, flags, wading and beach relays.

Anglesea resident Janet Jones, who runs the Starfish Nippers program, said it was great to have more participants and trainers than ever before this year.

“We started out with six Starfish Nippers in 2011 and this year we were able to increase our numbers to 23 participants with the help of our enthusiastic team of trainers,” she said.

“Each Starfish Nipper has his or her own personal trainer with them at all times so they can learn new skills in the water. They build up an amazing connection over the summer season and the smiles on our Nippers’ faces show how much fun they’re having.”

Janet Jones was chosen to be a batonbearer on behalf of the Starfish Nipper program for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay, travelling through Torquay on February 12.