Making beaches accessible for all

Published on 19 November 2018

Summer is here and it’s a great time for beach getaways. Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) has been working with other states, clubs and organisations within the disability sector to provide programs and services that give people with disabilities access to the water.

Young Tasmanians can take part in swimming, catching waves, beach runs and exercises via the Starfish Nipper Program. The program is designed to give beach safety and water awareness skills to students with a disability between the age of six years and older. The program caters for people with numerous disabilities including Autism, Asperger’s and Down syndrome.   

For people who have trouble getting around on sand or accessing the water, the City of Hobart and SLST offer free beach wheelchairs at Long Beach, Sandy Bay, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 4.30 pm, until Monday 5 February 2019.

For more information or to hire beach wheelchairs, please contact SLST Office on 03 6216 7800 or slst@slst.asn.au.

Image credit: Veronika Davie is on the rescue board, supported by volunteer Clare Boyce of Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Photograph by Kylee Davie.