Saturday 15 May, the Gunwalloe Surf Life Saving Club held it’s first session for 13 years! Parents looked on as their children were set group activities all aimed to give them lifelong skills and respect for the sea. The club originally started in 1959 and was one of the first in the county and always had great support from the community.

30 local children now have the opportunity to learn valuable first hand skills from a team of volunteers. They will learn how to get out of trouble, be given tips on beach safety and hopefully will nurture the next generation of lifeguards.

The first session was led by Jem Wallis and assisted by local parents who have undertaken courses from fully qualified lifeguards and SLS coaches. The parents can now instruct the children in all aspects of surf life saving.

Jem Wallis lifeguard & coach said, “we couldn’t have wished for a better day to start the new Gunwalloe Surf Life Saving Club. The sun shone on us, the sea gave us the opportunity to put them through some basic tasks and the kids were terrific, listened well and got really involved with all the tasks we set for them”.

Barefoot's Jon Taylor, club fund raiser & coach said, “we need to raise £6,000 for Nipper boards which are an essential piece of equipment to teach SLS. Local support is vital to our success, we would be grateful for donations and we are also raising funds by selling our popular orange hoodies, T-shirts and biodegradable dog poo bags”.

Gunwalloe Club is having a beach BBQ at Church Cove on 5th of June at 4.30pm - all welcome!

Freddie Thorp, a new 11 year old recruit to the club said, “it was really good fun, loads of different activities changing every few minutes and lots of time in the sea learning how to be safe”.

For further information please contact Jo Wallis on 01326 573251