A program that helps people with a disability, anxiety or those facing other challenges enjoy the beach, is celebrating it’s 25th year in 2024.
Pambula Surf Life Savers, Michele and Peter Bootes, started the Special Nippers program 25 years ago, since then the program now known as Same Wave has been adopted by 121 Surf Clubs around Australia. It’s also run locally out of Bermagui and Moruya.
For her work with Same Wave, Michele has received a State Service Medal as Facilitator of the Year from Surf Life Saving Australia in 2014, she was named the Bega Valley Citizen of the Year in 2020, and almost fell off her chair, when she was honoured this year with an Order of Australia Medal.
“I was surprised and I’ll be accepting that award on behalf of Peter as well, because he’s been as much a part of the program as I have,” Michele said.
Listen to the ‘Riding The Same Wave’ episode of iHeart Far South Coast below.
In this week’s episode of iHeart Far South Coast, ARN journalist, James Fennessy, speaks with the co-founders and facilitators, volunteers, and some of the participants of Same Wave Pambula, to get an insight into just what this program brings to everyone involved.
Peter Bootes, said it was clear, those who take part every Saturday from February to April get so much joy from it.
“The whole program is designed to give them pleasure but also to stretch their abilities,” Peter said.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the very first Same Wave program beginning in Australia and it happened right here on the Far South Coast.
The 25 year bash will take place at the Pambula Surf Life Saving Club at Pambula Beach from 5:30pm on Saturday the 1st of June.
Michele is calling on anyone who’s been involved in the program to send photos through to her at m.p.bootes@gmail.com or via the Same Wave Facebook page to use in a photo display on the night.
Find out more about the Same Wave story in this week’s episode of iHeart Far South Coast – available on the iHeartRadio website and app from 9am Friday (May 3).
To get involved, simply search for your nearest Same Wave program and reach out to them via Facebook.
Images: Same Wave Pambula, Tracey Harris, James Fennessy/ARN
