Collaroy Surf lifesaving offers nipper sessions for special needs kids

YOUNG volunteers at a surf club on Sydney’s northern beaches are bringing exhilarating experiences and teaching new skills to a group of special nippers.

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COLLAROY Nippers has welcomed kids with special needs into its surf club family teaching them news skills and giving them delightful experiences that many take for granted.

The special sessions — for children with physical and mental disabilities — take place every Saturday during the nipper season.

Collaroy Surf Life Saving’s Fiona Hall said the special nippers sessions were clearly a wonderful experience for all involved.

“Some of our special nippers don’t have much movement, so just being in the water and being weightless is quite exhilarating for them,” Ms Hall said.

Young lifesavers run sessions with special nippers children.

The 49-year-old, who helps run the sessions, said it was her son Christian Loone, 15, who instigated the inclusion of the special nippers into the club.

Now the surf club has a core group of about 10 special nippers catering to children who have severe physical impairment and others who are mentally impaired or have conditions like autism.

The lifesavers give the children basic swimming lessons and the more physically able are taught how to catch a wave and use a board.

Ms Hall said the sessions had attracted more young volunteers to the club and they were all adored by the special nippers.

“Most of our young volunteers are teenagers and the children love their company,” she said.

“For us, it’s such a reward to see the children enjoying themselves and learning skills just like a regular nipper.”