Club rolls out big guns to attract new juniors

THE biggest names in surf lifesaving have been brought in to double junior numbers at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.

Legend Trevor Hendy, four-time Coolangatta Gold champion Ali Day, Ironman world champion Max Beattie and Nutri-Grain ironwoman Kirsty Higgison have been visiting schools as part of a massive recruitment drive.

Junior chairman Danny Jones said the club wanted to increase its nipper base from 160 last year to 300 by 2018.

“It has alway been a small nipper club but we’re really trying to push the numbers,” Mr Jones said. “As well as attracting kids to the beach we’re also offering leadership groups with our athletes.”

Surfers Paradise wants to catch Southport, Kurrawa and nearby Northcliffe SLSC, which boast more than 300 nippers each, and become one of the city’s biggest nipper clubs.

The recruitment drives comes as junior numbers at some Gold Coast clubs have dropped in recent years.

Mr Jones said about 150 nippers had signed up well before the season launch. It wanted to reach 200 junior members this year.

“We’re confident of hitting that tally,” Mr Jones said.

By summer 2018-19 the club aims to reach 300 nippers with the club securing 300 new free parking spaces.

“Parents concerned about not being able to find a park ... we’ve been able to secure 200 parks under the club and another 100 at Bruce Bishop (carpark) from council for our nippers on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,” Mr Jones said. Lifesavers: 160 Bronze: Nov or Dec (TBC) Contact: 5599 5558

RAINBOW BAY SLSC Lifesavers: 60 Bronze: September 15 Contact: 5536 6390