Nippers

SLSQ is respected as a leader in developing and delivering aquatic safety, lifesaving and first aid services in the community. Junior Activities forms the foundation of this organisation and we as a club promote a safe, healthy environment for all our nippers to encourage long-term active participation.

Our Sunday program activities focus on fun, friendship and family in an inclusive and safe beach environment. We encourage the personal qualities of teamwork, respect, leadership, safety, trust and community. The program promotes improvement in both surf sports and lifesaving skills. Training sessions during the week build on fitness, surf skills, board paddling and beach events technique and endurance.

JUNIOR ACTIVITIES

HBSLSC Junior Activities are governed by SLSQ education resources, systems and policies to ensure delivery of the best teaching and learning opportunities for our nippers and their families. Each age group from U6-U14 has an ‘Age Manager’ and each week requires parent or cadet support as assistant Age Managers.

Between September and December, each age group has an ‘Education’ component of their Sunday program to complete which may involve a student workbook. With the completion of these lessons and demonstrated competency in the surf sports events appropriate for their age group, the child’s ‘award’ can be processed. Certificates are presented at our Nipper Break-up and Presentation Day in March.

U14s train for their Surf Rescue Certificate which qualifies them to become active patrolling members. For more information on SRC courses, see education.

Use the links to the right to navigate and learn more about the many aspects of our ‘Nippers’ program at Hervey Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Any questions? Contact us.

SUNDAY NIPPERS

The Hervey Bay nipper program runs every Sunday morning through the season. Please ensure nippers arrive at least 15 minutes prior to commencement. It is SLSQ policy that at least one parent/guardian is on the beach supervising their children at all times. It is a requirement of HBSLSC that one parent or guardian is a financial member of the club through the Parental Participation Program.

It is also recommended that children have a water bottle that they can take onto the beach in the Age Manager’s tub. In accordance with SLSQ Policy, it is mandatory that a high visibility rash shirt or vest and club or high visibility cap be worn in all junior activities programs and junior sport training. High Vis garments must also be worn in all open water events conducted or endorsed by SLSQ.

SKILLS EVALUATION

To ensure the safety of all juniors during water activities SLSQ have developed a Junior Skills Evaluation for each age group. This includes a pool evaluation prior to inclusion in water activities at the beach, a ‘run-swim-run’ beach evaluation for inclusion in Sunday and training activities and a ‘competency beach evaluation’ which allows nippers to nominate for club and inter-club carnivals. It is a pre-requisite for all Junior Activities to have an ability to swim. Pool swim evaluations can be completed by any accredited level 1 swim coach or SLSA assessor.

Each age group of nippers also completes a skills list and workbook activities to achieve their award for the season. Topics include personal and surf safety, sun safety, participation in team games, board paddling, surf swimming, beach events, basic resuscitation, first aid and environmental education.

U14 members train for their Surf Rescue Certificate which enables them to become active patrolling members of our club.

For more information about all courses or to enrol in a course see the education section or contact us.

UNIFORMS

Hervey Bay SLSC competition caps and pink safety vests are required to be worn by all children during organised Junior Activities and training sessions. This not only allows for easy identification of our members but assists the patrol members when Nippers are entering the water outside the red and yellow flags during Junior Activities. For this reason, we ask parents to remove children’s caps before and immediately after junior sessions, before they enter the water in the patrolled area under your supervision.

Pink vests, caps, club shirts, togs and other uniform items are available from our Uniform coordinators for purchase during Sunday activities. EFT is available from the administration office.

Price List:

Pink Safety Vest – $20
Club Cap – $20
Green Cap – $20

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

PARENT PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

In order for Junior Activities to exist, the support of volunteers in various roles throughout the season is crucial. Regardless of whether you are a strong swimmer or not, there will always be somewhere you can lend a helping hand. The Family Participation Program is an information package designed for parents.

Below you can find a list of some of the more common roles that are available within our club.

Roles that do not require an award:

Beach set up/pack down
Fundraising
Canteen
BBQ
Uniforms

Roles that require an award:

Age Manager
Assistant Age Manager
Water Safety
Coach
Trainer/Assessor
Official
First Aid

Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct

A parent/guardian of an SLSA member will:

Remember their child participates in surf lifesaving for their own enjoyment
Focus on their child’s efforts and performance rather than winning and losing
Show appreciation for good performance by all participants
Never ridicule or yell at their child or other children for making a mistake
Respect officials’ decisions and teach their children to do likewise
Not physically or verbally abuse or harass anyone associated with the activities (e.g. coach, official, age manager, etc.)
Be a positive role model for others

For further information about how you can get involved in supporting Junior Activities at Hervey Bay SLSC and upcoming courses, please see education or contact us.

COMPETITION

During the year competing members have the opportunity to participate in a number of carnivals for the club. Nippers who have passed the competition pre-requisites from U8-U15 compete in a variety of events at a variety of different levels.

Please note nomination fees apply for some carnivals.

For a full copy of 2021-2022 Surf Sports Calendar, including dates for all senior carnivals, please see the surf sports page or contact us.

Junior Carnivals

4 point carnivals are about participation, fun and competition practice between Hervey Bay, Elliott Heads, Moore Park, Agnes Water and Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Clubs. All children from U8-U15 are encouraged to participate in 4-point carnivals, as normal Sunday activities are not held on these days.

Club Championships are carnivals held at the club with an emphasis on participation in individual events. Points from these carnivals determine the Age Champion award for each age group which is presented at the end of the season.

CARNIVAL DAY INFO

Nominations for Junior carnivals are sought during Sunday activities and by email to parents before each event. Please take note of arrival time for competitors and be prepared to help set up and pack down the club shade tents.

It is important to advise your Age Manager prior to the carnival if you require a club board to be transported to the carnival venue.

What to bring:

Club Cap
Pink Rash Vest
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Chairs
Snacks (usually the host club will provide canteen facilities)
Swim goggles
Towel
Sun-safe shirt
Hat
Own board for U9-U15 competitors

JOINING AND FEES

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Membership Fees for the 2021/22 season are:

$315 Family membership (Two adults and all dependent children up to 18 years)
$75 Patrolling Members
$115 Non-patrolling member under 18 (includes nippers)
$75 Non-patrolling member over 18

Please be aware of additional fees including carnival nominations that may be payable along with your membership fees.

Please be aware that at least one parent or guardian MUST join with nippers aged 5-14 years and that all parents/guardians and volunteers over the age of 18 years must hold a current Blue Card.

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