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.
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29
January 2008 Newsletter
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Pambula's Special Nipper program is commencing this Saturday. The
program runs from 1 to 2pm for 10 weeks and caters for special needs
kids/ young adults living between Mallacoota and Tathra. This season
we are trying to cater for 13 kids and desperately need lifesavers
willing to assist. Whilst it is great to have people who can commit
to the whole 10 weeks it is a very big ask so this year I was hoping
to find more people who are willing to help whenever they can make
it. No experience is required to take part in the program, just
patience and a sense of fun.
If you have your Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze and would like to
give us a hand, even if it is just for a week or two, could you
please contact me asap. vicepresident@pambulasurf.org.au
Thanks
Michele Bootes - Special Nipper Coordinator |
Special Nippers in Action
The latest two candidates, Michelle Miller and Sam Davis, pictured with trainers Peter and Michele Bootes, passed their Bronze Medallion with flying colours on Saturday 2nd February. Both Michelle and Sam were back at the clubhouse in the afternoon to assist on the first day of Special Nippers and did a fantastic job.
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Pictured on the first day of Special Nippers for the season are Paul Pincini with new Special Nipper, Damon, who travelled all the way from Mallacoota to join our program.
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Regular helper at Special Nippers is young Anna Newman and her mum, Jas.
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Sandy Farrel and Peter Bootes enjoying the water with our newest club member, Damon.
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Special Cadet, Sarah Carr, assisting patrol member Jo Thorpe with the supervision of swimmers at Pambula Beach.
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Tim Enright showed great form with the baseball bat under the
watchful eye of Bec Hoff.
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