Authored by: Amy Hannaford
The North Coast Women in Powercraft program kicked off in March this year starting with an IRB crew course, followed by a driver’s course over winter. The outcome has led to the successful recruitment and high quality training of a large number of women across multiple clubs within the North Coast Branch.
Shelley Lantry from Sawtell SLSC pioneered the program and has acted as a trainer and mentor throughout the courses. Shelley’s goal was to encourage females to remain within the surf lifesaving family by providing opportunities and pathways that were supportive of women in surf.
Of the program Shelley states, ”My goal was to empower women to experience powercraft in a safe and supportive environment, no matter their age or background in surf. We had women who were new to the surf lifesaving movement who had only recently obtained their Bronze Medallion. We also welcomed women and younger females who had been involved as nippers and wanted to broaden their knowledge and skills. It was so rewarding to see these women step out of their comfort zone, achieve personal goals, increase their knowledge and connect as friends and sisters in surf. Most importantly, everyone had a lot of fun in the process.”
Shelley stressed that the program could not have gone ahead without the support of a number of highly skilled IRB trainers within Sawtell SLSC who dedicated hours of their time to facilitating the program.
Such has been the success of the program that the powercraft team for North Coast’s first two carnivals this season has consisted almost entirely of women. Not only is this a credit to Shelley’s hard work, but is an inspiration to young girls and other women within the surf lifesaving family.
For anyone interested in learning more about this program, Shelley can be contacted via the following methods:
Phone: 0438 518103
Email: clubcaptainsawtellslsc@gmail.com
