Our Nippers are the future of Surf Life Saving, and the program pathway teaches lessons and skills allowing them to continue in lifesaving and sport as they grow older. Woodside Nippers is a great way for children to make friends, be active and enjoy the beach in a safe environment. It is also a great activity all the family can be involved in. We encourage the whole family to be involved to enjoy the beach and all the activities available.

Woodside Nippers runs from 9:30am – 11:00am Sunday mornings during the surf lifesaving season.

Objective of the Nipper Program

• Have fun.

• Improve surf lifesaving skills.

• Learn about the beach environment.

• Develop team building skills.

• Develop new friendships and a sense of community.

• Participate in carnivals.

What to bring? Nippers should bring these basic requirements to all surf club activities.

• Bathers

• Goggles

• Sunscreen (should be applied before leaving home and reapplied as necessary)

• Hat

• Rashie

• Towel

• Water Bottle

• Warm clothing (for cold conditions)

Each Woodside Nipper is provided with a High-Vis vest and coloured cap and a wide brimmed hat.

What Parents need to know?

• Encourage your child throughout the session.

• All Nippers must have a parent or guardian present on the beach at all times.

• Be supportive of the person in charge of your group. All Age Group Managers are volunteers and rely on assistance from parents.

• Never leave the beach without your child signing out and returning their cap.

• To be fair to others, please arrive on time for sessions.

• Consider what capacity you are able to volunteer and support our club as much as possible.

Parent Volunteering

The City of Bunbury SLSC relies on volunteering to keep participation affordable for all families. We encourage all our families to get involved as much as possible throughout the season.

Volunteering at the club can take many forms including (but not limited to) as an Age Group Manager, Competition Official, Water Safety, Beach Set-up.

Nipper groups require at least 1 qualified Water Safety Person for every 5 nippers for all water activities. The club generally holds adult training courses for those interested in being water safety for Woodside Nippers early in the season.

Parents interested in water safety are welcomed to join training sessions for the following awards - The Nipper Rescue Certificate, Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion.

NIPPER RESCUE CERTIFICATE COURSE

ThThe aim of this course is to provide members with the skills and knowledge of basic water-safety and surf awareness. The NRC members enable our Woodside Nippers sessions to run in a safe and supportive capacity motivating our Woodside Nipper participants to feel safe and secure while they explore and perform their activities in the water.

The NRC is recommended for members, predominantly parents or grandparents that would like to assist and be involved with water-safety at the Woodside Nippers sessions, carnivals and competitions.

PREREQUISITES

Candidates need to be:

• Comfortable in typical surf conditions experienced at the club

• Competent ocean swimmers

• A current SLSWA club member

• Be 18 years old or over

CONTENT

• Understand Nipper water safety policies and procedures and the roles and responsibilities of the NRC holder

• Manual handling & OSH requirements as per SRC requirements

• Surf awareness as per SRC requirements and ability to recognise suitable beach zones for Nipper activities

• 200m Ocean Swim - Time frame of 6 minutes

• Aquatic rescue with a rescue tube

• Signals

PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

CTo maintain currency, members who hold an NRC will need to undergo an annual proficiency test incorporating:

• 200m Ocean Swim in 6 minutes

• A tube rescue

• Demonstration of signals

• This proficiency test will be recorded in SurfGuard as per other proficiency testing.

VALIDITY

One (1) year from date of course. Refresher sessions will be provided each year by the club.

If you require any further information, please contact our Director of Youth, via email doy@bunburyslsc.com.au