Nippers learn new tricks from elite athletes

NEXT WAVE

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An eager bunch of nippers line the sands of Ellis Beach. IMAGE: Supplied.

THE North Queensland Branch of Surf Life Saving Queensland held a special clinic in Ellis Beach on the weekend.

One coach and three elite athletes were brought up including Queensland Cyclone team coach Melinda Jackson, Ironwoman Brielle Cooper and fellow Cyclone’s Toby Wilson and Emma Jackson.

“Melinda is also a Life Member of Ellis Beach SLSC, so has great incite into the conditions and the challenges that we face in North Queensland,” said Fiona Grant, Deputy President of the NQ Branch.

“We wanted to bring up experts at the beginning of our season to assist in both the ongoing education for our own accredited coaches and parent coaches, but also teach our juniors new skills.

“Our more experienced also got tips on how to improve their own performance.”

Jackson is based on the Gold Coast and is the head pool rescue coach for Northcliffe SLSC.

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Cooper was a finalist in this year’s Nutrigrain Ironwoman, and at age 18 she was the second youngest in the series.

Wilson won gold for the Open 2k Ocean Swim in 2016 and was a gold medal winner at the World Youth Lifesaving Championships, while Emma Jackson (Melinda’s daughter) won at the National Pool Rescue Championships.

The club also held board, swim and rescue clinics over the weekend with 48 juniors and 10 coaches attending. 


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