Nippers is the way to go!
“The finest thing that any man can do is to
being.” save the life of a fellow By this you can assume any woman too. I remember this credo from the front cover of the SA Surf Lifesaving manual when I studied for my SPA (Surf Proficiency Award).
I can tell you when the chips are down and a person ’ s life is hanging in the balance and you have the knowledge, training and skill to pitch in and pull off the rescue, it is a scary but special experience.
The flip side of watching a person drown or die and you do not knowwhat to do is a horror story that I do not wish to imagine.
As a surfer of many years, I have assisted with CPR on a number of occasions and been witness to five people brought back from the other side. If you are going to be a good surfer or competent ocean person, this is a skillset you do not want to neglect.
Although I am not a part of it, Nippers is an organisation that has my full support in spirit. It is a great organisation with a proud history especially in East London and particularly on my home beach, Nahoon.
Alida and Mike Owen and their passionate crew are running a fantastic operation on Nahoon Beach.
With school sports taking a dive during Covid, the sun, surf and sea has become particularly popular and as scholars look for a safe vent for energy, Nippers are growing in popularity.
I caught up with longtime friend Chris van Vuuren to ask him about his and his children ’ s experience of Nippers:
“Nippers,”
I love said 13-year-old Stirling scholar Deandra van Vuuren. “It teaches me to be aware of my surroundings and know how to communicate with hand signals in
emergencies.” the water in case of
Younger brother Reynard, 11, also at Stirling, is not so sure.
“me,” I only do it because Dad forces he said, only halfway joking. Reynard loves his surfing, rugby and cricket. “I don ’ t force my do,” son to do much, but this I said Chris.
“There is good discipline here and structure. Kids are taught focus. They get fit here and away from TV, cellphones and tablets. The whole thing is a complete family deal and gets the whole family out of the house
together,” and on to the beach he said.
Alida Owen bubbles with enthusiasm when she talks about Nippers. The club has about 150 youngsters in the U9 to U14 section (U15 and above is junior life-saving) and about 50 children in the U8 Nippers.
She is thrilled that children are able to come to the beach and be safe, learn to respect the ocean, not be afraid, learn to love the ocean and have fun.
For some it is just a good time but Alida is excited that other children have an opportunity to earn club colours, earn provincial colours, compete at national levels and possibly even go green and gold.
Madison Malherbie and the Fenn boys are fine examples of what can come out of Nippers. They are role models and the kind of girls and boys you hope your children will become. younger,”
I wish I started Deandra says. can.” I am going to do this for as long as I Having started only about a year ago, she is no stranger to the podium, taking an EC champs third place in the flags event.
Athletes lie face down in the sand facing away from a limited number of pegs in the sand about 50m away. Blow the whistle, and they must jump up, turn around and sprint for a peg. Get a peg and you are still in, no peg and you are knocked out. Always fewer pegs than runners until only two athletes sprint for one.
Then there is run, swim, run. And Malibu — a surfboard type craft to paddle out to the back line and catch a wave in. This is the part that Reynard likes the most.
Deandra and Reynard tell me that Summerstrand and Kings Beach are really tough competitors but East London has no shortage of EC gold medals and it seems to me Deandra has some medals in her sights.
“full,” Never give up, live life to the she tells me and I am looking forward to seeing this young lady rise to her full potential.
“edge,”
Live on the Reynard says and I know he is thinking about Nahoon Reef and surfing with his dad or perhaps motorbike grand prix like his dad. One thing you can be sure of, these youngsters are being coached into fully fledged, tough, smart, savvy young ocean athletes.
It is a privilege to live at the sea. Kids from Johannesburg would love to have what we ’ ve got. Those who don ’ t want what you have, have no idea what they are missing.
Go Nippers!