Mayor hosts visit by young lifesavers - 01/03/07
Young members of a Barry lifesaving club and their parents have
been given an opportunity to view the redeveloped and refurbished
Barry Town Hall courtesy of Vale of Glamorgan Mayor Cllr Nic
Hodges.
The focus of the visit by the nippers section of the Whitmore
Bay Surf Lifesaving Club to the Vale Council's £10m redevelopment
scheme, which also includes King Square and Central Park, was the
new County Library and Mayor's Parlour.
During the visit, Cllr Hodges heard of the club's efforts to
recruit new members, who, before joining, must be able to swim two
lengths of a 25 metres pool and dive down to pick up a brick at the
deep end.
One of the organisers, Jane Nelson, said: "Nipper lifesaving
teaches children between the ages of seven and 12 about the dangers
of the beach and water safety, and they learn to read the surf and
identify where it is safer to play in the water and on a
beach."
Beach training consists of board paddling, run-wade-runs, duck
diving, swimming, beach flags, beach relays, games and general
fitness, and Jane added: "The children are also taught general
first aid."
Training is at Barry Island beach in the summer and indoors in
the winter, and Jane said: "The club is good for team work and
teaches children to play as part of a group, and provides them with
the necessary skills which will enable them to save lives as they
grow older."
The club is also looking parents to get involved as volunteers
to help out on the beach to "make it an overall family
experience."
Anyone is interested in joining can telephone Jane Anderson on
(01446) 747368, Stella Lewis on (01446) 404523 or email barrynippers@yahoo.co.uk.