LIFESAVERS LAP IT UP

STARFISH Nippers are offering a chance for allability swimmers to attend an inclusive day on the water. Two events next month are offering young people with disabilities the opportunity to learn water safety, surf and swimming skills — tips surf lifesaver Olivia Eade passes on to participant Logan Wickham.

FRIENDS and long-time surf lifesavers Olivia Eade and Moira Black are encouraging young people with disabilities to join a fun and inclusive water safety event.

Starfish Nippers will return to Carlton Beach in March, giving people with disabilities including Autism, Asperger’s, Down syndrome and physical disabilities a chance to develop surf and swimming skills.

Session co-ordinator Ms Eade said young people with disabilities were welcome

“no matter what their swimming ability”.

“It’s a nice, wholesome, family-friendly atmosphere,” she said.

Session co-ordinator Ms Black said it “felt really good” to give participants opportunities they would not usually experience.

Ms Eade said she was proud to have been involved in the inclusive surf lifesaving community since childhood.

“It would be nice to have people of all abilities involved in developing communities, relationships and supports around them,” she said.

Children and young adults age six and older will buddy up with lifesavers before engaging in fun land activities like relay running, with the option to partake in water activities, before ending the session with light refreshments.

Parents and siblings are welcome to join the fun.

Children and young adults can attend the 11am-12pm March 8 session or the 12.15-1.15pm March 29 session. Those interested can register for the events by March 1 at slst.asn.au/training-education/communityprograms