Although the field trip to Maroubra beach was canceled on Sunday to see the Nippers. I am well aware of the nippers, because I did the same kind of lifesaving program when growing up. As a teen raised in a beach town on the ocean, we had a program called the Long Beach Junior Lifeguards. We performed mock rescues, what to do if caught in a rip current, surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, swimming, and beach runs. As I looked on the Sydney nippers website, it was almost identical to what I did. I believe that learning about the ocean is such an important thing to have because their are so many drownings when lifeguards are not on duty where I live. Many of the people are from New York City taking the train to the beach and spending the day at the beach. I was fortunate enough to be a talented paddle board swimmer and I got to take trips with the junior lifeguards to Cape May New Jersey, Virginia beach, and Nationals in San Diego California. It is great to see all of the communities who have these programs because it is assurance that their are lifeguards protecting the waters everywhere. Beginning at a young age is a great way to get kids used to the water and be a strong swimmer. Not only did I learn about lifesaving procedures, but I was put with a great group of kids and became close with them over the years, I even still work with them on the beach to this day is a regular Long Beach Lifeguard. It was nice to see that Australia offers these programs as well, because I know it benefits so many kids out there.
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