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Junior Surf Lifesaving Program (Nippers)

The 2011/2012 Point Leo SLSC Junior Surf Lifesaving Program (Nippers) is now fully subscribed. Registrations for the 2012/2013 season only are now being taken. To register your interest for children aged 6yrs to 13yrs as at 30th September 2012 to join the program in 2012/2013 please click on the Nipper Waiting List Registration button (below left) to complete the online form for each child. Please do not register children under 6 years old as at 30th September 2012. Please note that this registration is not an application to join the club, it is simply a waiting list. Children on the 2011/2012 waiting list who did not gain a place in the 2011/2012 program will automatically be placed on the 2012/2013 waiting list.

**The 2011/2012 Point Leo SLSC Junior Surf Lifesaving Program (Nipper) Handbook is now available for download.

Point Leo SLSC has over 450 junior members participate in the club Junior Surf Lifesaving Program (JSLP) each summer. Around 200 of these juniors continue on with competitive training and compete in the State Championship carnival. This year the State Championship carnival was held at Lakes Entrance where Point Leo SLSC Juniors won the club point score championship competition from over 30 Victorian clubs.

The JSLP is open to children aged between 6 and 13 years of age. Age is taken as at 30th September. We welcome all children of all skill levels, but strongly advise children 8 years and up to have swimming experience. The JSLP was developed to equip children with the skills and knowledge to recognise and enjoy a safe beach and aquatic environment.

Specifically the program:

  • extends participants’ knowledge and understanding of:
    • safe beach and aquatic environments
    • survival skills in aquatic environments
  • develops skills in:
    • the sport disciplines of Surf Lifesaving
    • injury prevention to self and others
    • rehearsal of safety related judgements
    • basic first-aid, rescue and resuscitation

Point Leo SLSC is a friendly, family club. We hope that all members adopt the Point Leo Club Spirit and remember that the Nippers should have FUN!!

The Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) is offered to the nippers who have turned 13 or 14 years of age and is compulsory for Nippers and Cadets competing in the U14 and U15 age groups at carnivals.  It is also the requisite SLS award to commence patrols at these age levels. The course is run over a 2 day camp or 2 consecutive Sundays in late November. The cost and dates for the 2011 course will be available mid October 2011. Priority for preference of attendance at this course will be given to renewing members. New members wanting to complete their SRC will need to join as Active Nippers (u13/u14 age groups) or Active Cadets (U15 age group).

A candidate for the Surf Rescue Certificate:

  • Must be a minimum age of 13 years old on the date of examination
  • Must complete a 100m run, 100m surf swim, 100m run within 5 minutes
  • Must have completed a 200m swim in 5 minutes or less, in a swimming pool or over a measured open water course before any training starts in the surf.

Units covered are:

  • Safety and Well being
  • Surf Awareness and Skills
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Basic First Aid
  • Basic Resuscitation
  • Communications
  • Rescue Techniques
  • Patrols

The Junior Surf Lifesaving Program (JSLP)

The season kicks off with the Junior Surf Lifesaving Program in December each year. The focus in the JSLP is on instilling the children with the necessary skills, confidence and knowledge to enjoy the beach environment safely. The program covers the many activities associated with Surf Lifesaving as well as developing fitness, surf awareness and teamwork. Activities include beach running, flags, surf swimming and board paddling, all conducted in a fun, friendly and safe environment. The JSLP caters for all levels of skill and experience. Nippers just need to bring along their enthusiasm and energy!

Nippers are split into two groups in the JSLP:

Point Leo CUBS : the under 7s, under 8s, under 9s and under 10s

Point Leo LIONS : the under 11s, under 12s, under 13s, under 14s

Session Times

Nipper session dates for the 2011/2012 season will be advised closer to the season (late November). Times for the groups are:

CUBS: 8.50 am to 10.30 am. Each CUBS age group has 2 Surf Education rotations over the course of the program that will commence at 10.30am and finish at 11.00am.

LIONS: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm

The Point Leo Junior Handbook detailing all aspects and requirements of the program and activity schedule outlining the dates, times and activities will be available from the download section of this website closer to the season.

Competition Training

Competition training for the U13 and U14 age groups continues throughout the year with the Senior Squad. Details of training sessions are available for download from the website. Competition training for all Nipper age groups continues after the JSLP in February, every Sunday from 10.00am to 12.00 pm till the State Championships in March. This training program is open to all nippers participating in the Junior Surf Lifesaving Program and is designed for those Nippers who want to further their Life Saving skills and possess the competitive spirit. The key is commitment and therefore the expectation is that nipper competitors attend all Sunday sessions and compete in the carnivals listed in the Nipper Renwal Information Sheet. The aim of training is to provide structured, practical and informative sessions in all areas of competition.

Additional optional beach and water training sessions are offered midweek by club coaches in the lead up to the State Championships. These sessions are restricted to Nipper Lions (U11 to U14) due to water safety and supervision restrictions.

The completion of the Junior Surf Education Certificate relevant to each age group is compulsory for all Under 8 to 13 age groups who want to compete. This program consists of:

  • Safe aquatic environment awareness
  • Personal safety
  • Overview of general anatomy/the body
  • Correct management and handling of injuries
  • Assessment of emergency situations (DRACB)
  • Rescue and resuscitation techniques
  • Requesting and signalling for help

Parental Involvement

The Point Leo JSLP runs solely on volunteers, so the success of the program relies on parents getting involved. Point Leo SLSC has had overwhelming support here in the past but as nippers move on so do the parents. As a parent, being involved is rewarding. You don’t need any skills or experience to help. As our program caters to over 400 nippers it is expected that one parent from every family will assist in some way with the running of the program. Please contact us via our contact form with details of how you can assist this season and ensure you complete the ‘Parent Assistance Undertaking’ form when you enroll your children in the program.

Cost

Please refer to the Fee Schedule on the download page for this year’s Nipper membership fee. There is a $30 joining fee for new members.

There is a Carnival Fee payable if nippers choose to compete. This fee is payable annually at the same time as the membership fee. Please refer to the Fee Schedule on the download page for this year’s fee. Full details regarding Junior competition will be available in 2011/2012 Junior Handbook.

Requirements

It is expected that Nippers wear Point Leo bathers at sessions. An orange cap must be worn at all times throughout the program. These plus other Point Leo SLSC gear can be purchased at The Uniform shop. The Uniform Shop will be open several times prior to the commencement of the season (dates will be advised in our newsletter closer to the season) and before each nipper session. A back pack with goggles, towel, wetsuit (if required), sunscreen, water and snacks should be brought to all sessions; we encourage Nippers to carry their own back pack.