Dan Norton-Smith has been appointed as head Nipper coach at Mermaid Beach surf life saving club

Gold Coast surf lifesaving’s king of the kids is back to defend his reign as Queensland youth state champions – albeit for a different club.

GOLD Coast surf lifesaving’s king of the kids is back to defend his reign as Queensland youth state champions – albeit for a different club.

After steering Currumbin to back to back junior state pointscore titles, renowned Nipper coach Dan Norton-Smith has headed north to Mermaid Beach surf life saving club for the upcoming summer.

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Norton-Smith will oversee the club’s Nippers program as well as fill the role of development coach and manage the transition of athletes between junior and senior ranks.

Dan Norton-Smith has joined Mermaid Beach surf club as head Nippers coach this summer. Pic: Supplied.

“I have a fair bit of experience with senior competitors before my days at Currumbin but it’s always an area I’ve wanted to get back into,” Norton-Smith said.

“It was too good of an opportunity to refuse but it wasn’t a decision I made lightly.

“I wanted to expand my coaching capability but I can’t thank Currumbin enough for the past few years.

“I’ve always seen Mermaid as a club from the outside looking in who have a lot of potential and lots of talented kids and seniors who I hope with my guidance, we can progress further into their careers.

“I’m hoping to bring a level of professionalism they haven’t experienced before.”

Norton-Smith has wasted no time declaring his lofty ambitions for the club.

“Talking to our junior director and other committee members, we have a shared goal of finishing in the top 10 at the state titles but our success is not just going to be measured in points scored or places,” he said.

“We want to establish the right processes and pathways where success flows naturally.”

Dan Norton-Smith has joined Mermaid Beach surf club as head Nippers coach this summer. Pic: Supplied.

Norton-Smith officially commenced his coaching tenure this month and has already noticed inklings his squad could soon go to the next level.

“We trained on Sunday and it was pelting down with rain and we still had a really good turnout of athletes who despite the wind and the cold, didn’t complain,” he said.

“It’s a good sign for me that they all want to achieve success and get better.”