Lifesavers unite for Pride event at Rainbow Beaches

A LIFESAVERS with Pride event that aims to promote diversity and inclusion will include several people from surf clubs in the Far North Coast Branch.

Brunswick Heads surf lifesaver Simon Ceglinski has been instrumental in running the Rainbow Beaches at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast for the past few years.

It will be held on Saturday, February 8 and aims to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community within surf lifesaving and the wider community.

There will be plenty of colour and fun with a 1km paddle out and swim from Rainbow Bay to Coolangatta Surf Club.

Ceglinski has been involved in surf lifesaving since 1986 and said it is important for community and sports clubs to diversify.

“Clubs need to look at themselves and see how they can be more attractive to the outside community,” he said.

“Surf lifesaving started doing this about 20 years ago and now we have diverse people from all kinds of backgrounds.

“This event looks at taking away the stigma and highlights how being different is what makes these clubs special.”

The Lifesavers with Pride group said the event will bring together clubs from across Australia to showcase their commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space.

There will be a panel program on the Friday night with club members of all ages encouraged to dress up and help make it a memorable event on Saturday.

The paddle will be held at 8am from the Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club with a pride patrol to follow at 10am.

“It just keeps getting bigger each year, it’s a good chance to get together and be a bit silly” Ceglinski said.

“The kids love the colour of it and being able to dress up for the day among their mates.”

A record-breaking 133 surf clubs have nominated to be part of the Rainbow Beaches across the country this year.

It is sanctioned by the Lifesavers with Pride in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia and Queensland with support from the Pride in Sport program.