NIPPERS

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JUNIOR ACTIVITIES

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.

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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.

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BSLSC 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.

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Between September and December, each age group has an ‘Education’ component of their Sunday program. 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. 

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

SUNDAY NIPPERS

The Sunday nipper program commences at 8:45am with a brief welcome and information session. We ask parents and children to be at the club house by 8:30am so they can sign in, apply their sunscreen, and tie on their nipper cap ready for the 8:45am start.

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Parents must sign their children in at nippers each Sunday on arrival at the beach, and sign them out on completion of junior activities. At least one parent must remain at the beach for the duration of the Sunday program. This would normally run from 8:45am - 11am, however we may trial a different format for the beginning of the season due to the rules surrounding junior sport. Stay tuned!

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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 - PRE-REQUISITES

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. For minimum distances required, download a copy of the pool swim form below. 

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.

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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.

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Download a copy of the pool swim form here.

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UNIFORMS

Bundaberg 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. Please note we have no EFTPOS facilities on Sundays, however can take Visa or Mastercard payments via our online payment gateway.

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Approximate Prices:

Pink Safety Vest - $30

Club Cap - $15

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U6 and U7 children in our 'green caps' program do not require a club cap as they do not compete. Green caps will be provided each Sunday for them to wear and return, however it is still recommended that the pink safety vests are worn.

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TRAINING

Bundaberg SLSC's volunteer coaches offer training sessions outside of Sunday activities time in a range of events and disciplines. 

Below are the regular training  times for juniors. For a complete list of all training times in the various Surf sport disciplines, see Surf Sports Training.

Board Training  U9 - U15

Board training sessions are available to all Nippers from U9 to U15 and cover all skill levels from learning to paddle to competition and endurance training. 

Please be sure to bring a water bottle, goggles, pink singlet and club cap to all board training sessions and please be on time for safety reasons so we can ensure we have adequate water safety. 

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Times:

Thursday afternoons 4:30-5:30pm  with Dave

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Tuesday and Thursday mornings  5:30-6:30am with Jason

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For more information on board levies, see Fees and Payments or the Fees section of this page. 

March Past  U11 - U15

Bundaberg has a proud history in the March Past event. Juniors aged U11-U15 are encouraged to continue this team tradition. March Past is an event at WBC Junior Branch Championships and QLD Youth Championships.

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March Past Training Times: 

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8:00am-8:30am Sundays with Dave

on the beach

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Please be aware extra training times may be required as competition approaches. 

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Surf Rescue Competition  

Surf Rescue includes the disciplines of Champion Lifesaver, Patrol Competition and First Aid and is available from U14-Masters. Training for interested competitors will commence early in the season.

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.

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Roles that do not require an award:

· Beach set up/pack down

· Fundraising

· Canteen

· BBQ

· Uniforms

· Assistant Age Manager

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Roles that require an award:

· Age Manager

· Water Safety

· Coach

· Trainer/Assessor

· Official

· First Aid

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

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Parent/Carer Code of Conduct

A parent/carer 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 

Want to learn more about the roles you can play within Surf Life Saving?

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. 

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The 2020-21 Season Competition Calendar will be available closer to September. 

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.

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CARNIVAL DAY INFO

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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

Carnival Nominations

As carnivals require nominations to be in prior to the event, please make sure we know your child will be attending as early as possible. 

Use the below email box and be sure to include child's name, age group and the carnival for which you are nominating. 

JOINING AND FEES

MEMBERSHIP FEES

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Membership Fees for the 2020/21 season are:

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$280   Family membership (Two adults and all dependent children up to 18 years)

$100   Non-patrolling member under 18 (includes nippers)

$120   Non-patrolling member over 18 (includes associate members)

$100   Patrolling members

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

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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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Use the links below for more information about membership and payment options.

JOIN NOW

PAYMENT

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION