A new program coming to Renmark will teach children about water safety.

^{Kids along the River Murray can now join Rippers during the summer. Photo: SLSA}

Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA) is launching a free program called Rippers in Renmark.

The six-week program will start on February 18 and continue each Sunday morning from 9-11 near the Patey Drive Boat Ramp until March 24.

SLSSA Club and Member Development Manager Georgia Brazenall said Rippers is designed for children aged 5-12, with the goal of teaching children essential water safety in a river-based environment.

The program – based on the well-known Nippers beach program – will focus on river awareness, core lifesaving skills, emergency procedures, and water sport skills to help develop children’s confidence in and around the water.

Renmark Mayor Peter Hunter said he was pleased the lifesaving program was coming to the Riverland.

“Rippers will assist children to learn vital water safety skills and help build a sense of community belonging,” Hunter said.

Brazenall said the free program was created due to the lack of services and programs for children in the Riverland and will be delivered by experienced and accredited trainers.

“With recent floods particularly seeing a lack of access to this education,” Brazenall said.

She said Surf Life Saving South Australia wants to provide greater access in services and resources to families in regional and inland areas.

“This is a great step forward as we look to fulfill our vision of zero preventable deaths in South Australian waters,” Braznall said.

^{Rippers is a continuation of the successful VacSwim program that has been run on the River Murray at various spots. Photo: SLSA}

Rippers will also take place at Murray Bridge and on Lake Bonney.

The Murray Bridge program begins on February 3 at Sturt Reserve and runs for eight weeks, while the Lake Bonney group begins on February 17.

The program has been funded by the Office for Recreation, Sport, and Racing through the Active State Collaboration Program.

Minister for Recreation and Sport Katrine Hildyard MP said she knows “how beneficial being involved in Nippers is for young people’s physical, mental, emotional health and wellbeing”.

“Learning to be safe in and around our beautiful coastal and inland waterways is crucial for everyone in South Australia.”

This article first appeared in InDaily on 16 January 2024.

Words: Kimberly Murray