REIWA president Hayden Groves at Leighton Beach.
Camera IconREIWA president Hayden Groves at Leighton Beach. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

#SnapPerth: REIWA boss and East Freo resident has love affair with Leighton Beach

Natalie HordovFremantle Gazette

WHEN asked why Leighton Beach was one of his favourite places in Perth, REIWA president Hayden Groves replied “have you been there lately? It’s so good.”

Mr Groves is an East Fremantle resident and Leighton Beach has been his local beach for many years.

“We’ve always taken our kids to Leighton Beach for swimming lessons in the school holidays,” he said.

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“Our oldest boy is now 22 and we’ve been there year after year, each January, teaching them how to deal with the ocean; our youngest is nine and we still go there every summer.

“It’s a deep, sandy beach, with enough waves for body surfing, but nothing too scary for the children.”

Mr Groves also likes to put his stand up paddleboard in the water south of Port Beach and paddle up to Leighton Beach.

“If I’m feeling thirsty I head into Bib & Tucker or the new kiosk, before paddling back,” he said.

Mr Groves said Leighton Beach was once home to an old daggy kiosk, old surf lifesaving club and had a poor carpark, but it, and the local area, had gone through a well-thought out transformation in recent years.

“There is a new surf lifesaving club, new changerooms, new kiosk and manicured carpark and, set back from the water, are the new low-impact, high-end apartments,” he said.

“The whole area is new and fresh and a hive of activity.

“There are deckchairs around the cafe where families can recline and a grassed area with dogs running about; there’s a great family vibe.

“Even if it’s too cold for a swim, it’s a great spot for a family picnic get-together.”

Thanks to our national partners Canon Australia and Harvey Norman and our state partner REIWA.

#SnapPerth 2017 takes place on November 22. Snap a pic, share it on Instagram or Twitter and tells us what’s so great about your corner of Perth. Click here for more.

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