Healthy kids learn to save lives
Fri 13 November 2009
Lynette Piva-Brown, Bachelor of Journalism
Surfers Paradise was a sea of coloured caps on Saturday 17 October, 2009, with approximately 520 competitors gathering for the first round of the Fastest Man on Sand competition.
Surf Life Saving Queensland surf sports manager Chris Harris said that sprints and beach flag events have been separated from the water events this year, because they had experienced difficulty fitting a full beach event area into surf carnivals due to weather conditions and lack of beach width.
“By creating separate beach and water competitions, it will allow athletes the opportunity to compete in both disciplines, whereas prior to this season, they may not have been able to, due to timetabling and weather issues,” Mr Harris said.
The Sunshine Coast was well represented, with clubs from Peregian to Bribie Island competing.
Surf Life Saving Australia’s website stated that there are almost 50,000 nippers aged between five and 13 years.
“This equates to nearly 40 per cent of our total membership and shows just how significant the junior movement is within surf life saving," the website said.
"The nippers of today are the future of surf life saving."
Nippers learn skills such as surf safety, resuscitation and first aid in a safe and fun environment.
Mr Harris said that in the past five to 10 years, the number of children involved in nippers had increased at least 35 per cent.
Dicky Beach Surf Club nipper president Mark Bradicich said that there are 400 nippers registered at Dicky Beach this year.
“This has risen from around 70-80 seven years ago,” Mr Bradicich said.
Mr Bradicich added he had a team of 20 competitors from under 11 to under 14, but the event included under 11s to open, which is 18 plus.
Surf Life Saving Queensland believes that surf sports play a key role in improving fitness, motivation and life saving skills.
Dicky Beach nipper for seven years Michael Gilliman competed in four events on Saturday October 17, 2009, and finished second in the under-13 beach flags, losing to Jed Cartwright of Currumbin.
Mr Gilliman trains seven times a week, as well as attending nippers on Sunday morning.
Tara McAleenan of Mooloolaba Surf Club competes in the under 15 age group, and finished second in the beach sprints at the State Titles early in 2009.
Ms McAleenan was disappointed with her run on Saturday, as she was leading her heat until she fell over.
Kristy Knox from Alexandra Headland Surf Club, who beat Ms McAleenan at the State Titles, went on to win the final of the under 15 beach sprints.
Ms McAleenan said she does 11 training sessions each week, combining beach events with outrigging and kayaking, and hopes that surf life saving will eventually lead her to competing at the Surf Life Saving World Championship Titles or kayaking for Australia at the Olympics.
Madi Brown, 12, joined nippers four years ago and said her favourite part of being a nipper is going to the carnivals.
Ms Brown said she has met people from all over Queensland, has made great friends through nippers, and it keeps her fit and healthy.
Ms Brown also added she will use her skills when she is older to travel the world and work as a paid lifeguard.
Surf life saving encourages physical growth and development in a healthy and safe environment.
In May 2006, the Queensland Government held an Obesity Summit over growing concerns that “almost one in four children and half of the adults in Australia are overweight or obese”.
This summit resulted in government funding initiatives of $21 million, spent on grants, obesity education in schools, and initiatives to create healthier environments during leisure time and in the workplace.
The Eat Well Be Active – Healthy Kids for Life website stated that being active improves confidence, self-esteem and concentration as well as maintaining health and fitness.
It also helps manage stress and enhance social skills such as teamwork and friendship.
The Queensland Department of Communities website said children need many opportunities to experience success.
“Every time children achieve something they set out to do, they start to develop a belief that they can go on trying and have more successes,” the website said.
The website states that children are more likely to try things if they have self-belief and optimism, and less likely to suffer from depression.
Being involved in surf life saving supports the position of the Queensland Government, and the Surf Life Saving Australia website agreed that being involved in life saving is about having fun, being physically fit, leading a healthy lifestyle, learning teamwork, water safety skills, competing in surf sports, protecting people, and developing positive social relationships.
The 520 competitors at the Fastest Man on Sand carnival are the epitome of fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Image(s) designed by Lynette Piva-Brown