Surf Life Saving Australia receives funding for its Seniors fitness program

The Federal Government has provided Surf Life Saving Australia with a grant of $530,000 to support its Silver Salties fitness program, designed for all Australians over the age of 65.

The grant is based on the role that swimming and participating in other recreational activities at the beach can play in providing significant health benefits for senior Australians.

Federal Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie awarded the grant to Surf Life Saving Australia at the Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Club in Moreton Bay, Queensland this week.

Chief Executive of Surf lifesaving Australia, Adam Weir, and President Graham Ford AM both attended and welcomed the grant.

Senator McKenzie stated “the State Government is delighted to provide this grant to support Silver Salties – a widely-accessible, low-impact program that offers social and active participation opportunities to senior Australians of all abilities, regardless of their mobility, swimming capability or fitness levels.

“Surf Life Saving Australia will develop a framework to increase the number of older Australians in our coastal communities who participate in recreational activities on our beaches.

“The organisation will also complete a web-based program, accessible by all Surf Live Saving clubs across the country, to encourage the implementation of fitness programs for senior Australians at the grassroots level.”

Minister McKenzie said Australians were living longer and the Move It Aus Better Ageing program was an important step in helping older Australians to get the most out of their senior years, adding "as outlined in the Government’s National Sport Plan – Sport 2030 – no matter what your age and no matter what your stage, we’re encouraging all Australians to embrace the philosophy of “Movement for Life”. This is a really important step in that process.

“On current trends, the number of Australians aged 65-plus is expected to double in the next 40 years.

“This shift presents a challenge in broader health terms but provides a chance for sport and physical activity to make a positive difference to the lives of older Australians.”

Currently only 25% of Australians over 65 meet the Department of Health physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes activity per day.