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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Competition Images
Bundaberg SLSC has a number of accredited photographers that attend club carnivals. Their images are then free to access for parents and club members. Download them here:

SUNDAY NIPPERS
The Sunday Juniors Program runs from 8:45am-11:00am.
Please arrive a few minutes before your session start so nippers have their caps, sunscreen, water-bottles and goggles good to go.
Age Managers sign the children into the program when attendance rolls are marked.
At least one parent must remain at the beach for the duration of their child/children's nipper session.
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 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.
Download a copy of the pool swim form here.
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.
Approximate Prices:
Pink Safety Vest - $30-$43 depending on the style
Club Cap - $20
U6 children our 'green caps' and U7s our 'red caps'. Hi-vis caps are provided each Sunday for these children to wear and return. Our youngest surf life savers still need a pink rashie to wear for nipper activities.

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-U14
Board training sessions cater for all ability levels from learning to paddle to endurance training for competition.
Nippers need a water bottle, goggles, pink singlet and club cap.
Nippers sign in for training on the register.
Board Training for U11-U14s will commence August 2022
Training for U9-U10s will commence after the September school holidays
Please note that nippers must have completed their 'competition evaluation' ocean swim at nippers before attending Board Training during the week.
U9/U10 - 150m swim
U11-U14 - 288m swim
Please check with your child's manager if unsure or email juniors@bundabergslsc.com.au
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.
2022/23 Training times TBA after the September school holidays.
Surf Rescue Competition
Surf Rescue includes the disciplines of Champion Lifesaver, Patrol Competition and First Aid and is available from U14-Masters.
Training commences 1st June 2022.

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
· Assistant Age Manager
Roles that require an award:
· Age Manager
· Water Safety
· Coach
· Trainer/Assessor
· Official
· First Aid
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.
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.
The 2021/22 Calendar includes carnival dates for the season, dates for the Sunday nipper program and junior events. Save a copy now.
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
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
Membership Fees for the 2021/22 season are:
$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
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.
Use the links below for more information about membership and payment options.
JOIN NOW
PAYMENT
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION