DAN Little will return to the Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Association looking to make a difference while increasing the sport's popularity along the way.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After a strong involvement with the club that saw him be there "when it first started", Little felt the time was right to take over from Clayton Pickworth as president.
"I was around as an 11-year-old back in 1987 when it first started," he said.
"Coming back I felt it was my time to help try to make bodyboarding what it was when I joined back in those days.
"The boys needed someone and I've been helping over the last two years so I felt the time was right to try and make a difference."
Among many things he wants to improve, Little wants the bodyboarding fraternity to all start moving the same way.
"There is no real direction in Australian bodyboarding at the moment due to the sheer fact that no-one is connected," he said.
"We want to unite all the 20 clubs around Australia so we can build a strong foundation and get these kids up and becoming world champions again."
The first step in the process could lie with one of the world's most influential bodyboarders Ryan Hardy who is believed to be amalgamating all 20 clubs around the nation.
Should that happen, they will all form under the one umbrella.
"That way we can see what's working at grassroots level and what isn't," Little said.
An increase in family members and parents contributing to the club would help set the Port Macquarie club up for future success.
The PMBA will run a new "Flipper" program in 2020 which will be directed at juniors.
"It will be for those kids under-10 who want to get involved that aren't quite confident enough in the water," Little said.
"It will be a run-paddle-run format, similar to nippers but we're calling it 'Flippers'."
Juniors will use a buddy system where they will pair up with older club members who will teach younger members how to catch waves.
"Water safety and general water knowledge like understanding where rips are is a high priority and all kids should learn CPR," Little said.
The president also wants to continue to grow the PMBA membership numbers which would enable them to have more teams that compete at the Goose Gosby Memorial contest and the Teams Challenge in June.
"We want to give it more a family-friendly, community feel."
The first registration day of the year will be held on Saturday at the breakwall end of Town Beach between 10am and 2pm.
What else is happening in sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
If you value local journalism, continue to support us and consider taking out a subscription. CLICK HERE for a 30-day free trial.