JUNIORS |
What is Nippers?
A Nipper is a Junior member of a Surf Lifesaving Club aged 5 years to 14 years who are provided with an educational experience in a wide range of activities, which will prepare them to become a lifesaver in the senior movement.
The skills and knowledge range from identification of common beach safety rules and basic first aid, including resuscitation, surf skills, and surf sports.
Each age group has an award to gain so that at the age of 13 after successfully completing their Surf Rescue Certificate, they are able to assist, as a junior member of a beach patrol – the very essence of what the Surf Lifesaving movement is all about. That is providing efficient and effective surf rescue patrols on our beaches.
Children in the Under 6’s and 7’s participate in a non-competitive (game based) introduction to beach and Nipper activities as well as attending a basic educational program. This program is designed to encourage these younger children to gain confidence in the water and on the beach and provide grounding to what can be expected as they grow older and take part in organised competition.
Children in the Under 8 age group are given beach activities and wade races, and supervised swim sessions provided sufficient parent helpers and water safety are available.
Children in the Under 9’s to Under 14’s participate in beach and water events and are taught more challenging water safety and surf life saving skills. These Nippers may also choose to participate in Carnival events, but this level of competition is not mandatory. At the end of the season each member will be presented with a Certificate in Surf Education.
The junior movement can be a very rewarding experience for the whole family. Not only do the children learn important beach and water skills and enjoy the friendships that come with belonging to a club, their parents can also gain valuable knowledge and discover personal satisfaction in participating. Parents are also encouraged to consider participation in the full range of Surf Club activities such as gaining their Surf Lifesaving Certificate to their Bronze Medallion. Parents are also encouraged to assist on Sundays by either being an Age Manager, a Water Safety Officer, non-swimming beach events helper or just a general helper.
HOW DO I BECOME A JUNIOR? IT’S EASY!
Boys and girls aged Under 14 as at 1 October 2009 are eligible to join. Children must also be 5 years of age at the time of enrolment. If they are not 5 years old before the 1st of October they may join nippers on their 5th birthday up until December 31st.
Proficiency Requirements - Parents should remember that Junior Activities does not teach swimming. To participate in the water events and at any carnival, all Nippers must complete the Surf Education program, the timed pool swim and the run swim run. (See Junior Downloadable Forms for Proficiency Requirements for the 09-10 Season)
Proficiency swims maybe done with another Club as long as you have permission from your Club and take an Orange work card from your Club. It needs to be correctly endorsed and taken back to your Club so it can be processed in Surfguard.