Surf Life Saving (SLS) Far North Coast is set to welcome summer season 2025 with its annual Raising of the Flags ceremony and Nippers season launch at the Cudgen Headland SLSC on Saturday from 8.15am.
In a media release, SLS say the local Nippers will hit the sand in October.
They say, ‘Surf Life Saving Far North Coast is a vital part of the coastal community and has been supported by Newcastle Permanent with a longstanding partnership of over 17 years, which reflects a deep and lasting dedication to the safety and wellbeing of the communities along the coast.’
Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Director of Lifesaving, David Rope, highlighted the importance of vigilance and community spirit this season, given how busy last summer was for volunteers and acknowledged the support of Newcastle Permanent in keeping local beachgoers safe.
He said, ‘Over the course of the summer, our volunteers took nearly 32,000 preventative measures, clocking up over 43,000 patrol hours, which is no small feat’.
‘Nippers is a fantastic stepping stone for young people to start their journey towards becoming skilled lifesavers, who are essential to help ensure safety, with 253,000 visitors to our beaches last summer and more expected this season’.
SLS also say, ‘Last season, Newcastle Permanent supported more than 2,000 Nippers across 10 clubs in the region from Yamba to Fingal Head to learn essential skills including surf awareness, CPR and rescue techniques while also giving participants the chance to enjoy fun, beach-based activities’.
Newcastle Permanent Branch Manager David Parker said, ‘We’re honoured to have partnered with Surf Life Saving Far North Coast to ensure the sustainability of this service and the Nippers program, as well as the recruitment, training, recognition and retention of local life savers’.
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