Nippers are involved in a mix of fun physical and educational activities. Along with the formal and informal surf and beach training Nippers also undertake short modules of Surf Education designed for 7-13 year olds. It provides young members of Surf Life Saving developmental lessons that provide an introduction into the surf awareness and surf safety aspects of the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). The SRC is the introductory award for a patrolling surf life saver (13-15yrs).
BEACH/SURF TRAINING
U/6 and U/7
Beach sprint: running on the sand over a marked distance of 50m
Wade: running through shallow water around a supervised course
U/8 to U/14
Beach sprint: sand running over a marked distance of 70m
Beach relays: teams of four run a relay over similar distances to the beach sprint
All age relay: sand running over 70m with one competitor from each age group
Beach flags: laying flat on sand, then getting up and running a distance of 15m to compete for lengths of hose
standing in the sand
Wade: running through shallow water around a supervised course
Surf swim: swim around "U" shaped course for 80m (U/9 to U/14 only)
Board race: board paddle around "U" shaped course (U/9 to U/14 only)
U/13 and U/14
In addition to the above events, these juniors will work towards attaining the Surf Rescue Certificate. This can involve acting as an observer and assisting with beach patrols.
March Past
This is a renowned part of surf competition, usually consisting of 12 members, in Club uniform, led by a Club flag bearer or surf reel carriers. In formation, the team step in time, usually to music, following a set course while their performance is judged by officials.
In competition the above events are dependent on group numbers and are conducted under the rules and regulations specified by the Surf Life Saving Association’s Competition Rules.
Throughout the season there may be opportunities for Junior members to participate in external carnivals or skills clinics hosted by other surf clubs.
Skills Training
Any proposed skills based training will be announced at the start of the season.
SURF SAFETY EDUCATION
Surf Awareness 1 (U/8)
- Develop an understanding of who goes to aquatic venues and what they do there;
- Develop an awareness of SLSA, what surf lifesavers do and who can be a surf lifesaver;
- Understand and develop introductory running, swimming and paddling skills in a surf or aquatic environment.
Surf Awareness 2 (U/9)
- Develop basic beach, ocean and aquatic sense;
- Develop a basic awareness of the various hazards in beach or aquatic environments;
- Expand their understanding and development of running, swimming and paddling skills in a surf or aquatic environment.
Surf Safety 1 (U/10)
- Develop an awareness of usage trends and activities at local aquatic venues;
- Develop an awareness and knowledge of the safety services in the local area;
- Further develop their awareness and knowledge of the surf zone and other aquatic characteristics;
- Develop running, wading, dolphining, swimming, paddling and surfing skills in a stable or moderate surf or aquatic environment.
Surf Safety 2 (U/11)
- Develop an awareness of self survival concepts in the surf or aquatic environments;
- Be introduced to basic airway management techniques and initial first aid procedures;
- Expand running, wading, dolphining, swimming, paddling and surfing skills in a stable or moderate surf or aquatic environment.
Surf Smart 1 (U/12)
- Develop an enhanced understanding of surf lifesavers and the functions of lifesaving services;
- Develop an enhanced knowledge of physical characteristics of surf zones and other aquatic environments;
- Develop an awareness of basic rescue skills and activities;
- Enhance running, wading, dolphining, swimming, paddling and surfing skills in a stable or moderate surf or aquatic environment.
Surf Smart 2 (U/13)
- Develop an understanding of the principles of first aid;
- Develop basic knowledge of resuscitation skills;
- Develop introductory rescue skills in aided or unaided approaches;
- Enhance running, wading, dolphining, swimming, paddling and surfing skills in a stable or moderate surf or aquatic environment.
