NIPPERS RIDING CREST OF A WAVE IN 50TH YEAR
NIPPERS may prove more popular than ever in 2018 with clubs anticipating a spike in sign-ons before the season begins next week.
Over the weekend clubs across the Gold Coast ran sign-on events for children to join and become part of the organisation’s 50th anniversary year.
Despite poor weather the previous two sign-on weekends hundreds of new members have joined clubs.
Nippers President at Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club David Mackie said he expected a 10 per cent rise as families made the switch from other sports.
“Now that netball and AFL are winding down and finishing up … we’re seeing a number of signons and I’ve been contacted by people from those clubs saying they’ll be there this Sunday,” Mr Mackie said.
“Every day we’ve had so far it’s been pouring rain and I think most parents who are 50/50 would just go back to bed.
“I’m really hopeful this Sunday is going to be a picture perfect day so that everyone just goes, ‘Okay, let’s get to the beach’.”
While the exact number of sign-ons are not yet known, Nathan Fife from Surf Life Saving Queensland said the organisation had already seen a huge increase across Coast clubs.
“There has definitely been an increase this year and it’s never to late to sign up,” he said.