A COMMUNITY grant from NSW Ports has helped fund new boards for Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers.
NSW Ports communications manager Brooke Eggleton said Wollongong City SLSC was one of 17 grantees to benefit from the 2022 grants program.
“We’re immensely proud to support local, grassroots organisations that do tremendous work in the areas surrounding our ports to help our communities thrive,” Ms Eggleton said.
“Many of these groups – like Wollongong City SLSC – wouldn’t be able to serve our communities without the tireless contributions of dedicated volunteers.”
Ms Eggleton said lifesavers across NSW rescue 30 people each day and conduct hundreds more preventative actions to help keep beach-goers safe along our state’s coastline.
“We’re thrilled to fund new paddle boards for our local club’s Nippers, which is a fantastic program that helps kids from as young as five-years-old learn about surf awareness and safety, while getting active and making new friends,” she said.
Wollongong City SLSC Junior President Kristie Stepanovski said club members have a long and proud history in the region, having provided patrols during the surf season for well over a century.
“Our club does an incredible job ensuring that the Wollongong community can come and enjoy their local beach safely throughout the surf season,” Ms Stepanovski said.
“Our Nippers program sees children of various age groups undergo a series of lessons from wading, running, ocean swimming, board paddling and lifesaving skills as well as learning basic first aid and resuscitation techniques.”
