Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre: On the Adelaide Coast region of South Australia
“Now i'm going to show you how you carry your boards in.. So you hold it at the top like this. And then you drag it into the water.. not that way... good job”.
It's little wonder that these kids can't wait for school... when the classroom is as beautiful as this.
“Well done... can you splash your legs.”
Here at the Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre instructor Ilana Winter plays a pivotal role in young Chloe's future appreciation of the sea. This is all about making the littlies feel at home in the water... whether its on a board or in a tyre.
“OK if we turn around they should be giving the rescue signal......”
No doubt there are a few mums, dads and grandparents.. who wish this had been part of their curriculum. Well it is now for any child in the State.. if their school decides to access the Aquatic Centre's services.... like the outback kids from the School of the Air. For them.. a recent visit was truly special.
“Yeh they haven't seen rain and they haven't seen the ocean.”
But even for those who live in the suburbs of Adelaide.. this remains a truly unique school experience.
“There wouldn't be anywhere else in the world where in the radius of approximately a kilometre you can have a spot where students can try surfing, snorkelling.. In the estuary they can try kayaking.. so you might find places where there's better surf and better snorkelling but there's no where that I know about, where you can find everything in the same place. and from the looks on their faces... the kids agree.”
“OK what about you young man... what's the best part about today.. what have you liked the best.”
“Uhm rescue.”
“Rescuing.. did you rescue someone today? And what about if you get in trouble in the water.. would you know how to signal for help ?” “yep”
What would you do.
“Help, would you yell out … he he he.”
“Now Terry where have you been.. you been out snorkelling have you?”
“Yer we've been out snorkelling.. mate.”
“And how was it?”
“Beautiful.”
“What'd you see?”
“Sweep… Jellyfish..”
“Jelly fish you didn't bring any back did you?”
“No”
Just testing. The philosophy here is to understand and preserve this marine environment... including the spectacular Port Noarlunga Reef... where I'm bound for a rare snorkelling experience. Instructor Mary-Anne Stacey.. calls this her office... and for kids from Pilgrim School at Aberfoyle Park..... it offers a window into the world of the great outdoors.
“Is it supposed to be warm. hah hah Plenty of fish down there.”
Soon we're on our way... and while the view above is breathtaking.. its what’s below that's really spellbinding.
South of the jetty.. we come across a barnacle encrusted anchor.. for me its a chance to give the lungs a work out... and with instructors like Mary-Anne everyone gets a chance to touch a bit of local maritime history. And not far away... under the jetty's pylons we come across a school of Sweep.
“The emphasis here at the Port Noarlunga aquatic centre is on participation. Not only do you learn to snorkel.. you get an appreciation for the beauty of the reef and how to look after it.”
They say there are two hundred marine species here... and we've found just a handful.
“So what have we found here so far Mary-Anne? Oh we've got lot's of interesting things here. this animal in front of us is”
“A sea urchin and you can probably just see its spines moving around. It's related to a sea star. And when all the spines fall off when they die... It looks like an egg case is looking at you.”
“There we are put that one forward so that the cameraman can see.”
“Did I see someone with a star fish before?”
“Yes where's that beautiful orange one.”
“That's the one.”
“Yer excellent.”
Here.. you can see the Aquatic Centre in full swing. Below water the kids explore every nook and cranny of the reef and above.... the local sailing boat... built by staff with the help of Port Noarlunga Primary students.. offers plenty of fun and sail training today.
“It gets a little rougher out there some days so we're nice and safe in here.”
So whether its sailing, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking or a host of other water sports.. the Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre offers the ideal way for kids to learn about, love and respect the water. For details contact 8382 2455. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards.sa.com.au
Swimming & Aquatics Programs - Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre Phone 8382 2455
