Mackay Surf Life Saving Club plans open days for Nippers throughout September
Central Queensland has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a local surf life saving legend says more people should be taking advantage of the water.
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Mackay’s “Guardians of Harbour Beach since 1950” are hosting a series of open days for a new generation of Nippers, with one lifelong lifesaver saying more people should take advantage of the region’s gorgeous coast.
Josh Grant is Mackay Surf Life Saving Club’s director of surf sports, but he’s also a parent raising his daughter Isabella as a third-generation lifesaver.
With weekly Sunday open days starting in September for kids to come and try, Mr Grant said he was “very passionate” about passing lifesaving skills on to “the next generation”.
“Our beaches don’t get the best rap with sharks and stingers ... but we always make sure our Nippers are safe and 99 per cent of the time it’s a beautiful, safe experience,” he said.
“Sometimes when you’re on patrol its a beautiful, magical day, but no one’s there.
“It beggars belief that it’s a really underutilised resource.”
The come and try days are every Sunday throughout September from 8.45am-11am, where nippers and their families will be able to participate in age appropriate events such as flags, beach sprints, relays, wade races and surf education.
The morning finishes with a family sausage sizzle at the canteen where all nipper families catch up.
“We’re not a huge club but our motto is we’re small but we’re strong, we punch above our weight when we go to competitions,” Mr Grant said.
“We had a national champion and a state champion as well.
“But it’s really pleasing to see kids who are hesitant at the start of the season just get into it ... building up people’s confidence in the water.”
If you would like any more information please contact the Junior Activity Coordinator Lexie Schiffer on juniors@mackayslsc.com.au
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