Meet the young nippers learning to be lifesavers in a landlocked city
Canberra's Broulee Nippers Club trains local children to become lifesavers despite being landlocked, using a unique dual-branch approach that includes both pool training and surf training at Broulee Beach.
The Canberra Broulee Nippers Club is making waves in a landlocked location by training young aspiring lifesavers in the art of surf safety. With 140 Canberra nippers and another 160 from the seaside town of Broulee, the club engages local youth in essential life-saving skills, ensuring they are prepared for beach environments despite their city location. During training, children often engage in surf-themed activities and competitions that mirror traditional nippers training at oceanfront clubs.
Despite being 150 kilometres away from the nearest coastline, the members of the club strive to embrace the spirit of surf lifesaving. The young nippers spend three weeks training in swimming pools to build their skills and knowledge of swim safety before heading to Broulee Beach for practical surf training every fourth week. This approach not only keeps the nippers active but also fosters a strong sense of community and camaraderie among the participants who look forward to their time by the sea once a month.
The initiative by the Canberra Broulee Nippers Club highlights the importance of teaching lifesaving skills to youth, even in areas without direct access to the ocean. This program not only teaches children valuable skills for beach safety but also promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages friendships among peers. The success of this unique model demonstrates that distance to the coast does not hinder the spirit of surf lifesaving, allowing these young nippers to engage and learn vital safety lessons.