The Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club is making their beach more accessible this year, with the Same Wave program starting at Horseshoe Bay next month.
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The Same Wave program partners people with special needs to lifesavers and other volunteers for a safe and supported beach experience.
After two pilot sessions last year, Bermagui SLSC president Bruce McAslan said volunteers feel confident to dive into the program.
“Before the trials, a lot of the volunteers thought that working with people with disabilities was beyond their capabilities,” he said.
“But they really surprise themselves, afterwards they say, ‘I didn’t think I could do that’, they’ve learnt so much about our Same Wavers and themselves.’
Same Wave has recruited children from the Nippers program and Bermagui Primary School into the volunteer team.
“It’s incredible to see kids of the same age working with each other, they learn the limitations and how to work around them together.” Mr McAslan said.
“For our Nippers, it’s a really good way for them to learn about a range of disabilities, so they are not intimidated just because something or someone is different.”
The team at Bermagui SLSC have taken inspiration from similar programs on the Far South Coast run by Moruya and Pambula SLSCs to help build a program unique to Bermagui.
Allowing the Same Wave participants to direct the sessions during the pilot sessions also gave the team ideas about what to include in the program.
“We do some group activities together, introducing the lifeguards and talking about beach safety,” Bermagui SLSC secretary Cheryl McCarthy said.
“But each participant has two volunteers assigned to them, one with their Bronze Medallion, so they’re well supported to explore whatever they choose.”
While some participants like to swim, others prefer to play on the beach and many enjoyed exploring the club house.
“On a rainy day we ended up playing with the CPR dolls and looking through all the stuff in the first aid box,” Ms McCarthy said.
“We also had an awesome time playing with the radios, there are so many things we’ve got to explore.
“It shows the Same Wavers what we do, so they can learn about our work.”
Mr McAslan said some Same Wave participants surprised both the lifeguards and their parents.
“One mum said her kid would just sit up on the sand because he never went swimming,” he said.
“But after a while he jumped in the water, and his mum couldn’t believe he was playing in there for most of the session.”
A grant from the Mumbulla Foundation in December allowed Bermagui SLSC to purchase new equipment for the program, including floating boards, child-size life jackets and a beach-accessible wheelchair.
The wheelchair has buoyant armrests keep the chest and head above water, while its thick wheels can navigate the sand easily.
The Same Wave program begins at Bermagui on Saturday, February 3, with 11 children expected to attend, although the program is open to all ages.
Lifeguards encourage parents and carers to stay nearby at the beach, but not be involved in the activities.
It’s a chance for them to spend a bit of time at the beach either with their other kids or to just relax,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It gives give them a break, and the kids have a chance to explore new things without mum or dad.”
Mr McAslan said the new program was something for the Bermagui community to be proud of, and encouraged people to become Same Wave volunteers.
“the beach is for everybody,” he said.
“Whether they’re on the sand or in the water, we want our beach to be comfortable, welcoming and accessible for everyone.”