Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club given special needs equipment for Nippers program

Eimeo Nippers coaches were left speechless after being gifted with an amphibious chair destined to be life-changing for otherwise wary beach goers.

Eimeo Nippers coaches were left speechless after being gifted with equipment to support children with special needs in its nippers aquatic inclusion program.

Variety, a Queensland children’s charity, surprised Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club a few weeks ago with a floating inflatable wheelchair — known as a mobi-chair, four nipper surf boards, an agility ladder and 20 high-visibility pink nipper caps.

Albatross Nippers is a modified and structured aquatic inclusion program that focuses on beach and water safety for children with special needs, and now children in wheelchairs will have access to it.

L-R: Variety Queensland Head of Fundraising and Marketing Matt Lang, Eimeo nippers coach Heath Cruckshank, Alison Pembroke, Jude Lansbury and Bill Lansbury. Picture: Contributed.

Albatross Nippers coach Heath Cruckshank said Variety surprised the Eimeo coaches with an inflatable wheelchair.

“That was pretty amazing. They must have heard about what we are doing,” Mr Cruckshank said.

“We applied for a grant and we did not know until they presented us with the equipment the other night.”

“It just blew us to the moon, it was amazing.”

Variety volunteer Jamie Darlington presenting Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club with a Mobi floating inflatable wheelchair. Picture: Contributed

Variety helps children all over Queensland, especially in regional areas, who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability.

Albatross Nippers Program aims to take away the fear of the ocean some children with a disability might have and to break down the barriers to participation for these children.

Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club lifesaver and Albatross Nippers coach Heath Cruckshank

Mr Cruckshank said they had a few families inquire about their child in a wheelchair participating in the program, but Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club did not previously have the equipment to cater for the children.

“We have had some families who have come down and needed access to that chair in the water,” Mr Cruckshank said.

“It’s going to open so many doors.”

Eimeo Albatross Nipper Program will start up again in September on Sunday mornings.

If you want to join the program email [e-mail].

Originally published as Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club given special needs equipment for Nippers program