Narooma Nippers
Junior Nippers (ages 5 -13)
Every year as a Junior Lifesaver, you'll work towards improving your surf skills, You'll learn about surf safetyboard paddling, basic first aid and basic rescue techniques. You'll also enjoy plenty of great beach activities and the chance to compete in inter-club competition with your mates. While knowing how to swim is not compulsory, it is an advantage. Encouragement and support is given to youngsters prepared to learn to swim.
FAQ Guide for New Families
WHO CAN JOIN?
A child may join the club as soon as he/she turns 5 years of age, but not before.
Age Group = Age as at midnight 30 September 2018
Junior age groups are from Under 6 - Under 14. Under 15 and above are considered ‘seniors’. Our Cadets (15 -17 yrs) are mentored as Junior Lifesavers on patrol and give back to Nippers by helping our with our Juniors.
PARENTS RUN NIPPERS
We are all volunteers! The club operates entirely on volunteer help.There are many jobs, most of which do not require lifesaving experience.The more you are involved, the more your child will enjoy Nippers.
Parents and Guardians are REQUIRED to be at the beach at all times. Your child remains your responsibility. Medication, trips to the toilet and the individual general welfare of each child is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Nippers is NOT a child minding program.
Are you able to help? That’s great!
For ALL helpers who work on the beach with the children:
1. Each person must be a current financial member (insurance coverage)
2. Each person must have completed a Working with Children Check.
WHAT DO NIPPERS WEAR?
• Sunscreen!!
• Nippers red, white & black cap
• Hi-visibilty pink vest
• Swimmers (club colours available but not essential)
• Bring a water bottle & towel with your name on it - put this in your age managers bucket so handy at all times.
CLUB CLOTHING
Fleur Constable is our Club Clothing Coordinator. Club clothing will be available to purchase most Sundays during Nippers - downstairs in the clubhouse.
The swimwear is chlorine resistant and has had great feedback for its durability.
Besides the essentials, there are a range of additional items like towels and caps that might be of interest. New this season are long sleeve black rash vests. Visit our merchandise page.
POOL PROFICIENCY
Compulsory For U8 - U14's
Nothing to be nervous about. Most age groups are untimed. This day is an evaluation to ensure we are aware of your child's abilities in a safe, flat water environment - before we hit the beach. You will have to pay entry to the pool, unless you have a season pass. Bring your towel & goggles. Locate your age group over by the tiered seating when you arrive.
BOARD TRAINING
Friday Afternoons from 4:30pm
Board Skills Training for all under 9 to under 14 nippers interested in a weekday training session.
All Nippers must be registered, have completed their proficiency and be accompanied by an adult.
Wear your club cap and hi-vis singlet.
Meet at the south side of Bar Beach, North Narooma (netted beach).
SRC and Bronze Medallion members are also welcome to join us for a paddle on a board or ski.
Generally this training will be every Friday prior to a Sunday Nippers but check the club calendar for actual dates.
COMPETITION
Usually an 8am roll call. A program will be available with the schedule of events closer to the date.
Competition is optional but we encourage all our proficient Nippers from U8 - U14's to use the skills they have learnt on our beach and have some fun with other kids on the far south coast. No pressure, you can enter as many events in your division as you like.
U6 & 7's have a week off but are most welcome to come along to the carnival to cheer on Team Narooma.
JUNIOR LIFE SAVERS
Our aim is to educate and develop surf lifesaving skills in our Nippers in a fun, safe environment.
Two of the key features of surf life saving include: The development of leadership and teamwork skills... within a context of community service and enjoyment.
TYPICAL SUNDAY
8:30am Preparation & Beach Setup
8:40am Nippers Personnel Briefing - Age Managers, Water Safety and all Activity Assistants.
8:50am Nippers to sit behind relevant age marker in roll call area - on the sand in front of the grass slope. Age Manager marks attendance on sign-on sheet.
9:00am Nippers go to designated activity areas as
per Age Run Sheet. Nippers rotate every 15 minutes through 8 different activities either on the beach or in the water.
10:00am Start preparing the barbeque.
Nippers activities continue.
11:00am Activities Finish - Nippers to be signed out from attendance sheet. Everyone Help to Pack Up Boards to Shed, hosed off and put away. All equipment, tents, markers, flags, tubes etc.
BBQ available upstairs.
WHEN DO WE START?
Registration dates are still to be confirmed, and will be shortly after followed by the Pool Proficiency Swim.
Nippers begins on Sundays at 9am. Get there early so we can do our best to start on time. A calendar will be released as soon as dates are confirmed.
Check the facebook page for updates. Register for our e-newsletter on the 'News' page.
Basically every Sunday, we take a break over Xmas and get going again late Jan/early Feb.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Reporting serious concerns helps us
to better protect children.
To make a report just follow the simple steps.
Member Protection: Working with Children
Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSC), as organisations that involve children, should have a strong interest in keeping children safe. As such Surf Life Saving New South Wales (SLSNSW) has developed a number of procedures and resources which complement the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Member Protection Policy.
This season, all Bronze members and Nipper Helpers are to complete a NSW govt 'Working with Children Check'. If you haven't already done so, click the link and follow the prompts. You will need to visit a RMS (RTA) office to formally identify yourself. You will then be emailed a WWC number, please forward it to our super efficient Registrar Sue-Anne Newton so we can complete our side of the paperwork.
This WWC number can be used for other organisations (you might already have one for work purposes) and lasts for 5 years.
Nippers Coordinator
Carla Durnan
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
Should there be an emergency in the water, the alarm will sound.
Everyone is to leave the water. All Nippers to assemble at roll call point and remain with their age managers.
Only persons on the beach/in the water: water safety personnel, parents of the child.
No one is to leave the beach until emergency is resolved.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
$60 per member
$150 per family of 3
$30 per each additional family member
eg 2 adults, 2 kids = $180
We encourage all family members to sign up for insurance purposes. Become an Associate or Social member!
* All Nippers helpers must be registered members and have completed their Working with Children Check. See below.