If you're on Black Head Beach on a Saturday morning during the summer, chances are you've watched Jim Crookston conduct the Saturday Surf Awareness (SSA) activities in conjunction with Black Head Surf Club, MidCoast Council's Ageing and Disability Services and About Inclusion.
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'Unsung hero' Jim was honoured at the Hunter Aged Care and Disability Achievement Awards after being nominated by MidCoast Council's Ageing and Disability Services. A finalist for the "Volunteer of the Year" award, Jim has been awarded a 'highly commended' for his unique work.
"The aim of the program is to provide a fun non-competitive activity for people with a disability to be able to experience some surf and beach activities in a safe and supportive manner, based on existing surf lifesaving programs" said council's co-ordinator of Ageing and Disability Services Liz Green.
The aim of the program is to provide a fun non-competitive activity for people with a disability...in a safe and supportive manner.
- MidCoast Council's Liz Green
Jim has been involved with the program since its inception in the 2007-08 season and has put in many hours co-ordinating this program with the services involved.
"Participants enjoy water and land based surf lifesaving activities, with a mix of fun, fitness and education" said Jim.
On any given day participants enjoy warm up exercises and beach runs/walks, beach flag races, relay races, tug-o-war, wading races and kick board pool races.
Importantly, they also learn vital skills such as rescue and body board riding, lifesaving rescue methods with rescue board and tube, basic first aid and resuscitation methods and assisting in lift and carry rescues.
"Often the SSA participants assist the surf lifesaving patrol of the day" added Jim.
Jim is ably assisted by Black Head Surf Club's regular patrolling members - both Surf Rescue Certificate and Bronze medallion holders. However, Jim's tireless and selfless efforts have seen this program go from success to success.
"We thank Jim from the bottom of our hearts for the countless number of people he has trained in surf awareness over the past eight years,” said Liz.
"We are so pleased to be able to continue to support this fantastic activity for our clients and work with Jim and his wonderful program. There are so many positive outcomes for everyone involved in the program.
"The future possible opportunity from Jim's program in supporting the full integration of people with a disability to be actively involved in surf patrol activities is exciting."