Special Nippers
What is Special Nippers?
Special Nippers is an initiative started by Pambula SLSC in 2001 in conjunction with Bega Valley Respite Care. The program aims to cater for children and young adults who, due to their individual disabilities, are not able to participate in the regular Junior Surf Life Saving program. The activities offered are modified to suit the needs of participants and include a warm up run, flags, beach relays, board riding and swimming.
In 2004 we saw the introduction of kayaking using a club member's double ocean kayak. This proved to be such a popular activity with our special nippers that the club decided to purchase its own kayak with a generous donation from the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club and Eatons Mowers and Marine. The children taking part in this program have developed both water skills and social skills. The parents of these special children also enjoy the opportunity to spend time with other parents who face the same types of challenges. The carers, all qualified lifesavers, also gain enormously from the program by sharing the joy these children show so openly.
The program has received several awards including NSWSLS Masons Award and the NSW Water Safety Award. Each season our numbers are growing. In 2001 we started with five children aged between 5 and 13, in 2005 we now we cater for eleven Special Nippers & Cadets ranging from 5 to 24 years of age. This rewarding program is always in need of lifesavers to act as carers as we run on a 1:1 or sometimes a 2:1 ratio. The only requirements for the job are that you have a Surf Rescue Certificate or Surf Bronze, a sense of humour and are able to give about an hour of your time from 1 to 2pm most Saturdays in February and March. Anyone interested in finding out more can contact Michele Bootes on 64953375.
