Spirit of Nippers shines through

THE Hayden Real Estate Torquay Nippers farewelled summer with their end-of-season presentation, a sweet reward after cancelling the same event last year as COVID began to take hold.

With a delayed start to the surf sports season, and a very different looking competition calendar, Torquay still boasted an impressive team of more than 400 Nippers – an important step in sustaining kids and youth in life saving.

“While many of the kids have missed the competition element this season it has been a good opportunity to focus on the life saving pathway Nippers presents – future patrollers for our beaches,” director of junior development Matt Henderson said.

“The challenges presented to us this year have enabled us to really take a step back and review our program and processes, with so many positive outcomes.”

Torquay SLSC celebrates a unique award known as the ‘Spirit of Nippers’, sponsored by local business CrossFit Bells Beach.

“The Spirit of Nippers Awards for each age group acknowledges not only what a Nipper accomplishes, but also how they accomplish it,” Lisa Purcell of CrossFit Bells Beach said.

“It really encompasses everything that life saving represents by acknowledging determination, courage and commitment.

“Many of the Torquay SLSC families are a part of the local CrossFit community, recognising the benefits in multi-sport training throughout the season and in between.”

As the Nippers hang up their goggles for the season, the youth, seniors and masters have another major competition on the calendar to conquer.

Twenty-six Torquay members including swimmers, paddlers and surf boat rowers will head to the National Champs ‘Aussies’ in April on the Sunshine Coast for the season finale.

To find out more about getting involved in life saving, head to torquayslsc.com.au.