Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
With beach patrols set to begin this month and ocean safety more important than ever, one western suburbs surf lifesaving club is expecting its biggest season yet.
The Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club has experienced 20 per cent membership growth over the past five years but is most excited about its promising pool of young swimmers.
The Swanny Woodside Nippers boasts eight busy age groups from under-six through to under-13. Participation has more than doubled since 2021, which club president Logan Ovenden-Clarke said is evident every Sunday morning at the beach.
“There’s plenty on offer for our Nipper and youth members, from developing water safety and lifesaving skills through to competition, leadership and social activities,” he said.
“We’re particularly proud of the number of our 15 to 18-year-old members who have taken on leadership roles across the club.”
The club hosts several youth-focused events throughout the season and will compete in the Fuel to Go & Play WA Endurance Championships on Saturday, October 10.
The popular Nipper Gold event will again feature for under-12 and under-13 Nippers. It consists of a 300m swim, a 300m run, a 450m board paddle and a 250m run finish.
Mr Ovenden-Clarke said programs such as this were important in inspiring new generations of surf lifesavers.
“Surf lifesaving clubs are vital in our community. The funding we receive helps us deliver the training and equipment needed to provide surveillance and assistance from the beach, water and air,” he said.
“We want everyone to feel safe while enjoying our beautiful coastline. We encourage people to always swim at patrolled beaches, and check conditions with your local lifesavers or online before entering the water.”
The club — formed in 1932 — has completed more than 4200 patrol hours to date.
Its annual open day was held two weeks ago and attracted more than 300 people.
“It was a great opportunity for existing members to reconnect after the winter hibernation, while new and interested members could come along, explore the facilities, ask questions and get a taste of what Swanny is all about,” Mr Ovenden-Clarke said.
“Surf lifesaving traditionally has four pillars — lifesaving, education, development through Nippers and youth, and surf sports — but we reckon we have a fifth: social.
“We’re an inclusive bunch and encourage our members to get involved and have a go at whatever interests them, whether that’s paddling a surf ski, flying a drone, learning to drive a jet ski or helping train the next generation.”
He said it was a misconception that people needed to be “great” at swimming and “super fit” to join a surf lifesaving club.
There are plenty of opportunities for people who refuse to even get in the water, from operating the radio to completing a first aid or drone course.
The next bronze medallion course at Swanny starts on October 7 and runs for eight weeks. Enrolments are available online for anyone aspiring to become a surf lifesaver and complete the qualification.
