MEMBER ALERT: Cancellation of this weekend’s SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships

MEMBER ALERT: Cancellation of this weekend’s SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships

Since the outbreak and escalation of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), Surf Life Saving WA has been keeping up to date with health advice from the Australian Government and considering our options in regards to our upcoming events, including this weekend’s SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships held at Scarborough Beach from 13-15 March.

In addition, at 12:10pm today, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a press conference to address the evolving situation and advised that by Monday, 16 March, a precautionary ban will be put in place to restrict the running of non-essential organised gatherings of 500 people or more.

As an organisation with a primary focus on public safety, we have an obligation to assist the government in meeting health objectives by doing what we can to slow transmission of COVID-19 among our members and members of the public as a whole.

With health advice regarding COVID-19 developing at a rapid rate, we have made the proactive decision to cancel this weekend’s SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships at Scarborough Beach.

This decision has not been made lightly and is in the interests of our members, athletes and the wider community more broadly, as the health of our members is our top priority. Surf Life Saving WA will not be charging entry fees for the SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships.

We will be following the recommendations and advice from the government and other health-industry bodies regarding the best course of action to follow.

At this stage, we are carefully considering upcoming events on our calendar, including:

• 21-22 March – SunSmart WA Lifesaving Championships;
• 28-29 March – SunSmart WA Senior Surf Life Saving Championships;
• 28 March – Life & Sporting Hall of Fame Member Dinner;
• 4 April- Surf Life Saving WA Nipper & Youth Awards, presented by the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA; and
• 18-26 April – The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
• 8 May – Coastal Bravery Awards
• 13 June – Surf Life Saving WA Awards of Excellence

We share the disappointment of the nippers and their families that we know were eagerly awaiting this weekend’s events.

We will communicate any further changes to the schedule of our events to members in due-course.