All Nippers must demonstrate their swim proficiency prior to the commencement of Nippers
(Excluding Under 6’s and Under 7’s as they will do theirs as part of their usual Nippers.)
It is vital for Surf Life Saving Clubs to ensure their enrolled Nippers are proficient in the pool and surf, to ensure they are:
SURF COMPETENT, SURF CONFIDENT, SURF SAFE.
Nippers is NOT swimming lessons and children are expected to have a certain level of competency in the water. Without this – our Little Nippers will not be able to participate in any water activities. The skill levels required for each group are detailed below and I would ask that you familiarise yourself with the minimum skill levels for each of the age groups in advance.
U9s and up will also complete an Ocean Proficiency which consists of an open water swim.
IMPORTANT: This must be completed for any child wishing to compete in Carnivals both Beach and Water.
NIPPER Proficiency Date 1 – Sunday 29th September 10-11.30am
Warringah Aquatic Centre – 1 Aquatic Drive Allambie heights.
The costs will be $7.80 per Nipper and free for accompanying adults who will not be swimming or hanging around (otherwise the adults will be $9.80 if you want to swim).
This will be an opportunity for those who feel the cold, to do their proficiency indoors at the Warringah Aquatic Centre.
NIPPER Proficiency Date 2 – Sunday 13th October 10.30am-11.30am.
No cost.
Queenscliff Ocean Pool – the pool will be cold so please bring a wetsuit for your Nipper if they prefer.
Queenscliff Ocean Pool – the pool will be cold so please bring a wetsuit for your Nipper if they prefer.
No need to pre-book and you only need to attend one proficiency session.
Note – for the Under 14s commencing their SRC – you guys will be doing yours separately.
PROFICIENCY LEVELS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN UPDATED. Please read through to ensure you understand the requirements for your Nipper.
Each year your child/Children must successfully complete their Age Groups Proficiency Level, as outlined below, to allow them to be a Nipper.
| Age Group | Preliminary evaluation | Competition Evaluation | Surf education award |
| Under 6 |
Push and glide from wall (1-2m) recover to stand. |
Surf Play 1 |
|
| Under 7 |
Push and glide from wall (2-3m) recover to stand. CONTINUOUS SKILL – Wade through water (5m) float on back or front (5 sec’s) recover to stand, submerge to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands, recover to stand. |
Surf Play 2 |
|
| Under 8 |
Swim on front (20m) followed by swim underwater (2-3m). CONTINUOUS SKILL – Swim on front through water (20m) followed by back or front float (5 sec’s) followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands, do not recover to stand between tasks. |
Nil (no water competition, except for wade which takes place in waist-deep water) |
Surf Aware 1 |
| Under 9 |
Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec’s per side. CONTINUOUS SKILL – Swim on front through water for 50m, followed by tread water for minimum 1 minute, followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands (do not recover to stand in between each task). |
Minimum 150m open water swim |
Surf Aware 2 |
| Under 10 |
Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec’s each side. CONTINUOUS SKILL – Swim on front through water for 50m, followed by tread water for minimum 1 minute, followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands (do not recover to stand in between each task). |
Minimum 150m open water swim | Surf Safe 1 |
| Under 11 |
Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec’s each. CONTINUOUS SKILL – Swim on front through water using freestyle for 100m, followed by tread water and/or sculling for minimum 2 minutes, followed by submerge forward or backward roll to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands (do not recover to stand in between each task). |
Minimum 200m open water swim | Surf Safe 2 |
| Under 12 |
Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec’s each. CONTINUOUS SKILL – Swim on front through water using freestyle for 150m, followed by tread water and/or sculling for minimum 3 minutes, followed by submerge forward or backward roll to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands (do not recover to stand in between each task). |
Minimum 200m open water swim | Surf Smart 1 |
| Under 13 |
Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec’s each. CONTINUOUS SKILL – Swim on front through water using freestyle for 150m, followed by tread water and/or sculling for minimum 3 minutes, followed by submerge forward or backward roll to retrieve object from bottom of water with hands (do not recover to stand in between each task). |
Minimum 200m open water swim | Surf Smart 2 |
| Under 14 |
PART OF THEIR SRC QUALIFICATION. |
Minimum 200m open water swim | Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) |
This is a compulsory requirement for SLSA. Therefore, please fill in the below details and agree to the above.