Celebrating the fruits of our support at Focus Foundation is truly fulfilling! Recently, our team members Mandi and Jules had the privilege of attending the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club Awards Night. It was not only a special evening, but also a chance to witness the remarkable impact the club is making within its community of young members.
Brighton Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC, a registered charity) operates as a voluntary organisation, providing multiple weekly training sessions throughout the year for members spanning from eight-year-olds to those in their 30's and beyond. Relying entirely on donations for equipment, the club offers coaching in fitness, first aid, ocean lifeguard rescue techniques, ocean/surf swimming, and ocean surfski paddling. This comprehensive training allows the club to participate in regional and national surf lifesaving competitions across various age groups, emphasizing the values of fun, enjoyment, and safety. In addition members have gone on to take up roles as sea lifeguards across the UK.
"Nippers", the youngest members of the club, undergo crucial training to recognise water hazards, call for appropriate assistance, understand the impact of currents, tide, wind, and waves, and cultivate respect for the beach environment while overcoming their fears.
Seeking to enhance their capabilities for their youngest members, the club sought a grant* from Focus Foundation. Awarded funds enabled them to acquire several surfskis, a type of sea kayak. These surfskis play a pivotal role in building members' confidence on the water, enhancing their sea knowledge, and ensuring their safety.
Pictured from left to right: Rob Williams, Surfski Captain, Julie Billings, Isaac Brindley, Mandi Stanley, David Samuel, Chairman
One notable success story from this initiative is Isaac Brindley, pictured above, who clinched the title of this year's club Paddler Of The Year. Isaac secured the third position in the Sussex Classic Junior Short Course Ski Race, showcasing the positive impact of our support.
For more information about the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, visit www.brightonslsc.org.
*Focus Foundation awarded a grant of £5, 400 to BSLSC.