A new programme to teach young people with physical and intellectual disabilities surf lifesaving skills has launched in Canterbury.
Organisers want all young people to have the opportunity to benefit from the skills, fitness and community Surf Lifesaving offers.
Called “All Star Nippers”, the initiative was developed by Waimairi Surf Lifesaving Club’s Junior Manager, Maia Smith.
“Our all-stars program really focuses on that water safety and that teamwork and just having that social interaction with each other. And it’s so much fun the kids just have a blast… all the while learning how to keep themselves safe at the beach,” she said.
It’s inspired by a similar set-up in Australia.
“There’s a fella called Nick Marshall over there, he runs the Albatross Nippers, so I reached out to him, and he’s been amazing at giving us lots of feedback and advice on how to get this going and so we set the program up in New Zealand… It’s our first ever program here,” Smith said.
It runs for six weeks and has up to 25 participants between the ages of seven and 17.
It’s free of charge and run by volunteers.
“They’re all so lovely, and it’s such a privilege to do it,” said volunteer Emelia Coster.
It’s not just the participants benefitting, but parents are too.
“Because these guys wouldn’t do or take part in things otherwise, just opens up new communities for us otherwise it can be quite isolating” said mum Jo Ryder.
Participant Jake’s mum, Stacey Mcclimont, said it’s an essential programme for them.
“It gives him time to be with others that have similar disabilities to him, and it makes him feel included and he’s able to keep up and have fun and you know we spend this Sunday morning as a family” she said.
Maia hopes to see it rolled out across the country.
“We’ve got this perfect vehicle to teach these water safety skills, particularly with the drowning rates in New Zealand, we might as well be passing on our information and our skills” she said.
Creating an inclusive environment for all to get involved.
