Two Sundays ago, before the eager nippers took to the waves, Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club held a special ceremony to celebrate the donation of a new gazebo from the Kiama Rotary Club.

Among a crowd of Rotary and Surf Club volunteers, the gazebo was formally handed over by the president of Kiama Rotary, Phil Whyte, to Kiama SLSC’s junior activities coordinator, David Griffin.

Kiama SLSC sponsorship coordinator Ian Harvey-George said they were thrilled with the new addition to the club’s equipment.

“We have a long and strong relationship with Kiama Rotary. They generously donated our previous gazebo in 2019, which served us well but was sadly beyond repair,” Harvey-George said.

“I approached Kiama Rotary to see if they could help us replace the damaged gazebo, and over the past few months we’ve worked closely together to make sure we found the right setup for everyone.”

He also spoke about the importance of shade for volunteers during the busy summer season.

“The beach can be a harsh environment for both kids and adults, especially on hot days. Our volunteer lifeguards spend hours on the sand every weekend, and large gazebos are vital for keeping them cool and protected from the sun’s harmful rays,” he said. 

“This new gazebo provides essential shelter for our nippers and for the volunteers who keep the club running and the beach safe.”

The gazebo will also be used to shelter Kiama SLSC’s hardworking BBQ volunteers.

“They’re at the beach early every Sunday, setting up and cooking for hungry nippers and families,” Harvey-George said.

The handover also coincided with the presentation of the new-season nippers shirts - free to all participants thanks to Kiama SLSC’s generous sponsors.

“As this is my first year as sponsorship coordinator, I wanted to create something special for the kids. This year we introduced a gold sponsor position on the front of the shirt, which Mystics Mechanical proudly took up,” he said. 

“We’re also thrilled to welcome several new sponsors as we continue building strong relationships between the club and local businesses.”

Russ from Mystics Mechanical with one of the new nippers shirts. Photo: Ian Harvey-George

Harvey-George emphasised how vital local sponsors are to a volunteer-run club like Kiama SLSC and praised the broader Kiama community for its support.

“Much of our equipment and uniforms is sponsored by local businesses - from surf boats and nipper boards to flags and now the Rotary gazebo. Sponsorship helps us purchase and maintain essential equipment, and you’ll see the support in uniforms too, such as age managers’ shirts and the bright orange water safety tops,” he said.

“It’s not just financial help. There’s expertise as well. For example, when we had issues with our surf boat trailer, Russ from Mystics Mechanical generously donated his time to help fix it.”

Now in his first year as sponsorship coordinator, Harvey-George said he is relishing the role because of the relationships it builds and the joy of helping local kids thrive.

“I love connecting with people, and this role allows me to do that every day. Whether it’s maintaining long-standing partnerships or heading into town to build new ones, the relationships are truly rewarding,” he said.

 “I feel proud when I see someone wearing our nippers shirt around town, and I get a real thrill knowing that vital equipment has been made possible through sponsorship - especially when you see the smiles on the kids’ faces.”

Looking ahead, Kiama SLSC will host its Pride Surf Club Day on 15 February and will soon be seeking local sponsors for the event. 

The club will also hold a film screening of Chasing the Gold in early 2026, featuring Ironman Ali Day, who began his journey with Kiama SLSC as a nipper.

“Come down to nippers on a Sunday to learn more, or reach out via our website. I’m always happy to speak with local businesses interested in sponsorship - we can tailor opportunities to your needs, budget, and desired exposure,” Harvey-George said.

He also extended special thanks to the club’s supporters: The Rotary Club, Mystics Mechanical, The Sebel, Yves, One Fitness, Lime Construction, Saltwater Café, The Gentlemen’s Cut, Swell Bathroom Renovations, Alba Ergonomics, Diggies Café, FlipOut Albion Park, and Kiama Pharmacy.