Junior Activities
OBJECTIVES OF OUR ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
At Nippers our junior activities program aims to provide an environment where our junior members learn essential surf safety and awareness skills with a focus on fun, encouraging participation and a healthy and safe beach lifestyle.
Throughout the season our junior members will learn surf safety skills (including how to identify rips), surf sports skills, such as body surfing and negotiating the surf on a Nippers board. Activity days also include the beach disciplines of flags and beach sprints. At Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club our primary focus is to make the Nippers experience fun and enjoyable for all participants and their families.
Our objective is to promote personal development, leadership skills and improve the self-confidence of our junior members by setting realistic and obtainable goals and challenges. We encourage competition but recognise that not all junior members are disposed to the rigours of competition. We aim to strike a balance between nurturing and encouraging the competitive urges in our junior members and at the same time providing a welcoming environment and a full program for those members who are less inclined to participate in the competitive side of surf lifesaving.
ACTIVITIES
During the season the age managers will run the children through a range of activities promoting:
- Surf safety/awareness
- Surf skills
- Surf craft skills
- Beach events eg. sprints and flags
- Resuscitation skills (under 13's)
- Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) for under 14's
Children are encouraged to participate in all events. Surf swimming is part of the requirements of being a Nipper. Proficiencies are first assessed in the pool prior to the children being allowed to participate in water based activities (refer below). Nippers are also required to learn board skills. Depending on their age and conditions on the day Nippers will be required to paddle out around a buoy positioned at a set distance. All ages (excluding under 6's and under 7's) are required to participate. Under 8's, 9's and 10's use foam boards. Under 11's to 14's use fibreglass boards.
WHAT TO BRING
One of our aims at Nippers is to teach the children about all aspects of surf/beach safety. Accordingly it is important that the children are well prepared for a morning at the beach and some essentials include:
- Nippers cap (essential)
- Plenty of sunscreen liberally applied before the children commence activities
- Water bottle
- Swimming goggles (optional of course)
- A rash shirt as extra protection from the sun
Togs, caps and rash shirts in club colours can be purchased from the uniform shop on most Sundays after the commencement of the season.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME AS A PARENT?
At least one parent for each junior member must remain on the beach each Sunday while the children are participating in junior activities. Parents should introduce themselves to the child's age manager.
It would be useful to know whether your child is interested in competing at carnivals. The reason we would like an indication is simply to assist with the flow of relevant information about upcoming events, training times etc.
Feel free to approach your age manger to obtain their contact details so that you can easily communicate with them on issues relevant to your child's age group.
Like any voluntary association the club relies heavily on the active involvement of parents. The club cannot function without people volunteering their precious time. There are a number of ways you can assist such as in water safety (for those with SRC or Bronze Medallion qualifications), morning set up on the beach, BBQ set up and manning the BBQ stall, assisting in the uniform shop, raffle sales and other fundraising initiatives etc.
As is often the case year after year a lot of the work is left to the same few individuals who devote their time tirelessly to keep the junior activities program functioning. Many hands make light work and it would be of tremendous assistance if you could contact your age manager with an expression of interest to assist in one of the numerous roles essential for the ongoing operation of the junior program.
Of particular and immediate importance is managing the BBQ stall and the uniform shop. The BBQ operates every Sunday and is our number 1 fundraiser, your help and participation in this is appreciated.
Without the commitment, dedication and hard work of our selfless volunteer leaders and members, we wouldn't have this fantastic Club we are all so proud to be part of. Our Patrolling members provide an incredible humanitarian service and contribution to the local community and the general public; they prevent aquatic related fatalities and injuries by keeping the beach safe.
For further information or any questions you may have, please contact the Junior Activities Chairman, Donna Thomas. (After 5.30pm please 0448 204610)