Welcome to Eimeo Nippers

Go to: Nippers Handbook

The main aim of the Nippers Program is to learn about surf awareness and safety through a fun-filled Surf Lifesaving Education program and to develop future lifesavers for the Club.  Our nipper kids participate in board paddling, wading, swimming, running and other activities and games to develop and enhance essentials lifesaving skills.  Our nipper kids are taught from the youngest age group to respect the surf, read the surf and use the surf to their advantage. We also have our Albatross Nippers Program.

Nipper Days are the foundation on which we build our basic surf and competition skills along with awards and accreditations such as Basic Resuscitation and the Surf Rescue Certificate.  The skills developed through the nipper program allows nipper children to compete in Club, regional and State carnivals.

 Nippers is for children from 5 years to 13 years of age and is held on Sundays 8.30am – 11am from August. All age groups are determined by a child’s age at 30th September.

Each age group has an Age Manager. The Age Manager is responsible for the education, training and organisation of their age group.

The coaches of water and beach activities provide the teaching and coaching of skills to the nippers and have overall control of the mid-week training sessions.  Water safety officers provide the mandatory and necessary safety requirements the Club must provide in order to carry out the Nippers sessions and weekly training sessions.

Our nipper program is only made possible by the incredibly generous and tireless efforts of our volunteers – Age Managers, Coaches, Water Safety, and all our other helpers.  As a voluntary organisation, we rely heavily on the active involvement of parents.  There are many ways parents can be involved, and as the saying goes – many hands make light work.  If you are interested in helping out, feel free to speak to your Age Manager or come and see me – we are always grateful and pleased to see people willing to throw their hat in the ring and lend a hand.

Nippers Handbook

Code of Conduct

 

Parents play an important role in delivering and supporting our nipper program not only for their own children but others as well.  With every parents’ involvement comes the responsibility to act in constructive, respectful and encouraging way and to set a good example for the benefit of all.  As part of our commitment to this responsibility, Eimeo SLSC has adopted the following Codes of Conduct for its nipper program:

Nipper Code of Behaviour

  • Always play by the rules.
  • Participate for the fun of it not to please your parents or coach.
  • Never argue with an Official or Supervisor’s decision.  Your Team Manager will handle any carnival disputes (your whole team can be disqualified for this infringement).
  • Be a good sport. Cheer all good efforts whether yours or your opponents.
  • Treat everyone as you yourself would like to be treated.  Do not bully, interfere with, or take unfair advantage of anyone.
  • The goals are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good.
  • Co-operate with your coach, managers, teammates and opponents.

Parents, Caregivers and Spectators Code of Behaviour

  • Do not force an unwilling child to participate in competition.
  • Remember children are involved in Nippers for their enjoyment not yours.
  • Encourage your child to always play by the rules.
  • Teach your child that an honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of all competition is accepted without undue disappointment.
  • Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  • Remember that children learn best by example.  Applaud good performances and sportsmanship by all participants.
  • Do not question Officials’ or Supervisors’ judgement and never their honesty.
  • Support all efforts (remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sport).
  • Remain on the beach and accessible for the duration of Nippers
  • Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches and Age Managers.  They give their time and resources to provide recreation activities for your children and deserve your support.

By joining the Eimeo SLSC nipper program, parents and caregivers acknowledge and accept these Codes of Conduct.  Any breach of these codes should be immediately reported to the Junior Activities Chairperson.


Who can join nippers?

Nippers is for children from 5 years to 14 years of age.  For safety reasons, every child is required to undertake a proficiency check before they participate in any nipper activity.  The proficiencies are outlined later in this handbook.All age groups are determined by a child’s age at 30th September.

Age Group

Age as at midnight 30 September 2023

U6

5 years

U7

6 years

U8

7 years

U9

8 years

U10

9 years

U11

10 years

U12

11 years

U13

12 years

U14

13 years

 

Under 6’s & U7’s are identified by their fluorescent red and green caps.  Activities are designed for fun and surf education only; water activities are restricted to the shallows and competition is not permitted. Every child in these age groups must be accompanied by a parent.1:1 ratio.

Under 8’s to U14’s wear the blue club cap with dolphin logo.  Any 13-year old wanting to compete must have completed their Resuscitation Certificate.  This award can be obtained from the age of 10.  Any 13-year old wanting to compete at senior carnivals must have completed their Surf Rescue Certificate and required patrol hours.

Children who are 14 years+ can join our Cadet program which is aimed at preparing them for Club patrol duties and Surf Lifesaving Competitions.  From the age of 14 (U15’s) they can compete as senior Club members (within their respective age groups i.e.: U15, U17, U19, etc) providing they have the appropriate award certificates.









 

Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club (Eimeo SLSC) is committed to safeguarding children and young people in our membership. We acknowledge that a child-safe organisation doesn’t just happen; it requires conscious effort to protect children and young people from harm.

 Eimeo SLSC will work together to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all children participating in our community. We recognise that our staff, volunteers and members must understand the important responsibilities they each have in relation to child safety. Every person bound by this statement of commitment must always place the safety and welfare of children and young people above all other considerations.

 Several measures will be used to achieve this such as:

 ·         Prohibiting any form of abuse against children;

·         Providing opportunities for our juniors to contribute to and provide feedback on our program development;

·         Carefully selecting and screening people whose role requires them to have regular contact with children.

·         Ensuring our code of conduct for people in positions of authority, is promoted and enforced particularly for roles associated with junior sport;

·         Providing and promoting avenues for raising concerns or complaints; and

·         Providing regular education and/or information to those involved in lifesaving on child abuse and child protection

·         Ensuring safeguarding policy and procedures are communicated and understood by relevant staff and members.

 The Eimeo SLSC requires that if anyone bound by this statement of commitment reasonably suspects that a child within our organisation, has been or is being abused report it immediately to the police or Department of Communities Child Safety and Disability Services, and to the association’s Safeguarding Children and young People online reporting portal.

 All allegations of child abuse will be dealt with promptly, seriously, sensitively and confidentially. A person will not be victimised for reporting an allegation of child abuse and the privacy of all persons concerned will be respected.

 Together we commit to provide an environment where children feel safe, respected and valued.

As the President of Eimeo SLSC, I hereby sign this Statement of Commitment on 25 June 2023

  

 Cynthia Hegerty

President

Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club Inc

 

 

  • No parent, no participation – parent/guardian must be present for the duration of Nippers
  • At least one parent must commit to volunteering with junior activities or associated duties
  • Parents must sign their child onat the start of Nippers with their Age Manager and off at completion of Nippers
  • All nippers must wear Club uniform including stinger suit, Club cap & hi-viz pink vest in water activities
  • Nippers are responsible for their own uniform, sunscreen, towel, hat & water bottle
  • Nippers will not be allowed to enter the water if they have not completed their pool swim
  • Nippers must have completed appropriate competencies and awards before nominating for carnivals
  • Nippers must obtain permission to leave the beach from their Age Manager
  • The use of any Club equipment requires prior permission from Age Manager/JAC
  • Boards should be carried, never dragged and should be laid fin up on the sand
  • All equipment must be cleaned and returned to the container/shed in the manner it was found - the shed and container has labels to assist in putting gear back in the right place
  • All volunteers (18yrs+) must have a current Suitability Card for working with children (Blue Card)
  • Water Safety volunteers must be proficient with a minimum of a Surf Rescue Certificate
  • All Water Safety personnel must wear an orange rash shirt and orange cap
  • All Age Managers must wear an Age Manager shirt
  • All nippers must show respect and manners towards all other participants and volunteers
  • Aggressive behaviour, either physical or verbal, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  Failure to abide will result in dismissal from participating any further


 Nippers at Eimeo starts with sign-on at the front of the clubhouse from 8:30am with children assembling in front of their Age Group banner/Age Manager.  It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their children have their attendance recorded with the Age Manager prior to beginning the morning’s activities.  Failure to do so could result in some awards not being met by the end of the season.  Late arrivals must go to their Age Manager to be signed on.  Any child who arrives to sign on without a parent/guardian present, unfortunately will not be allowed to participate in the morning’s activities.

 Parents must remain at the beach for safety reasons in accordance with SLSA Policy.  No child should be left on the beach unsupervised by a parent/guardian. We have a zero tolerance for parents who leave their children on the beach.

All children and parents are to be ready and signed-on by 9am when Club announcements begin.  It is important that all nippers and parents attend the Club announcements so that everyone knows what is happening in the Club and how the day will be run.

Once signed on, everyone shall proceed to their designated areas for the commencement of the day’s program.

The program starts with age groups rotating around four arenas: flags, sprints, board paddling and swims/wades, all designed to be fun and to develop the skills needed to become competent lifesavers.  Each activity lasts for approximately 20 minutes.  In the middle of the program, the children will cover an award lesson that teaches surf lifesaving skills, such as signals and identifying rip currents, and participate in a game specifically tailored to improving lifesaving skills.

The program targets specific activities designed to teach surf safety relative to the needs of each age group and also include surf sports components in preparation for upcoming carnivals.

In the event of stingers, bad weather or rough seas, Nippers may be modified or cancelled on the day.  We take our advice from the lifesavers on duty. A Facebook post will advise members of a change of program and/or venue if required.

Nippers are under the care of Age Managers for the duration of all activities.  Water safety personnel are assigned to all water activities for safety precautions.  All children are expected to respect and obey these volunteers.  Only accredited Water Safety personnel (WS) and Nipper Adult Assistants (NAAs) are able to assist with water activities and only parents/guardians that hold a Blue Card will be allowed to assist on the beach. We encourage parents to help us with the water activities by becoming qualified WS or NAAs and have some fun.

Water and beach activities conclude at 11am followed by a BBQ at the Clubhouse.  We ask parents/guardians (grandparents most welcome) of our nippers to operate the BBQ under a roster system.  Each age group will be rostered on approximately 2-3 times in the season, so we ask that you all do your little bit to help the rest of the wonderful members that volunteer their time on the beach each week.  Please be sure to show your appreciation to our BBQ volunteers with a ‘thanks’ or ‘cheers mate’ when you grab a bite to eat.

Packing up of equipment on the beach is the responsibility of the last group to use that equipment.  We ask the parents of children who are using Club equipment to assist their children packing up the beach.

At the end of their Nippers session, parents must sign their child out with the Age Manager and remove their nipper cap to indicate the session is over.

Nipper Sundays

Sunday 8.30 – 11 am - 20 minute sessions

9.00 – 9.20                  Announcements 

9.20 – 9.40                  First session

9.40 – 10.00                Second session

10.00 – 10.20              Award Lesson & game 

10.20 – 10.40              Third session

10.40 – 11.00              Fourth session & pack up your arena      

11 - BBQ and bar opens
 


A respectful and positive attitude!

Uniform:  It is compulsory that nippers wear club uniform (stinger suit) and club cap (blue dolphin logo) and hi-viz pink vests for all water activities and training sessions.  This not only provides stinger/sun protection and safety but encourages a sense of belonging in the children and makes identification on the beach easier.

 Uniforms are available for purchase on Sunday mornings from 8:30am downstairs inside the Club.

 Sunscreen and Hydration:  It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure their children are adequately protected from the sun and have a water bottle to avoid dehydration. Age Managers have enough responsibility on the day without taking on the parental responsibilities of extra children.

 Towels and Goggles:  Children must supply their own towel and goggles every Nippers day and all clearly named.

 Lost property:  Any gear found after Nippers is held in a lost property box downstairs inside the clubhouse.  Please make sure all belongings are clearly labelled.  Stinger suits are way too expensive to have to replace prematurely.


 


Beach Flags - competitors lie down on the sand, facing away from the flags. At the signal they get to their feet, turn and sprint to a flag (piece of hose) placed in the sand. Anyone who fails to gain a flag is eliminated until there are only two nippers left. The competitor who wins the last flag, wins. U8 - U14

Beach Sprint - the beach sprint course is usually set over 70 metres. Starting when the whistle is sounded the competitor sprints across the soft sand through the finish line. The first competitor’s chest across the finish line is deemed the winner. U8 - U14

Beach Relay - the beach relay consists of a team of four competitors and a baton (rubber hose).  Members 1 and 3 are stationed at one end of the course whilst members 2 and 4 are at the other.  The object is to successfully complete the race without dropping the baton and exchanging within the set boundaries. U8 - U14

Board Race - this race is done using a board to negotiate the break, follow a set course of buoys and return to shore surfing the waves back to the beach. Board requirements for the U8-10’s is on 2m long foam boards; U11-13’s is 2m long fibreglass boards and U14-15’s use a Malibu fibreglass board, 3.2m in length U9 - U14

Board Rescue – this consists of 2 nippers, a swimmer and a board paddler. The swimmer enters the water, swims to their coloured buoy and signals to the board paddler, who paddles out, around the buoy, picks up the swimmer and both competitors paddle to the beach, both carrying the board over the line. U11 - U14

Board Relay - a board relay team consists of three competitors all with their own board. The first team member paddles out around the buoys then heads back towards the shore and tags with the second team member who does the same. The final team member has to complete the same course and then run through the finish line. The first team to successfully pass all the buoys and cross the finish line will be declared the winner. U9 - U14

Surf Race - the surf race involves swimming around a course of buoys placed out in the ocean.  Getting through the shore break can be tough, as well as the return to the beach negotiating the waves, but then to be a lifesaver you must be tough. The distance for U9-U10’s is approximately 150m and 288m for the U11-U15. U9 - U14

Surf Rescue –Includes Patrol Competitions, First Aid Competitions and Champion Lifesaver. The Patrol Competition allows members to demonstrate how lifesavers work as a team performing a number of physical skills, practical and theory tasks. The First Aid Competition is a team event designed to demonstrate a high standard of First Aid skills in scenario situations. The Champion Lifesaver Competition is an individual event where competitors show their skills across three areas. These include the physical skills of board, surf race, sprint and tube race as well as a First Aid theory exam and a live patient assessment.   U12-U15.

Surf Teams - consisting of four members, all competitors swim in the same race, around the buoys and back to the beach.  Each placing is given a certain amount of points e.g. First = 1 point, Tenth = 10 points. The team with the least amount of points wins or in the case of a draw, the team who crossed the line first wins. U9 - U15

Ironman/Ironwoman - in the Nipper age groups the ironman/ironwoman race involves three legs including the board and the swim sections with a run in between each of these. This is a tough event which requires endurance, strength and plenty of skills. U11 - U15

Cameron Relay - involves 4 members, a swimmer, a board paddler and 2 runners. The swimmer completes a swim race and tags the runner near the shore who runs along the beach and tags the board paddler who completes a board race before tagging the last runner who sprints towards the finish line. U11 - U15

Wade Race - Athletes have to wade, dive or swim their way through waist depth water around the three water safety markers from left to right, then make their way back up the beach through the finish line. U8 - U10

Wade Relay - this relay race consists of 4 competitors. The first member runs and wades around the water safety markers, back to the beach where they tag the second member who does the same. They tag the third and finally fourth and final member who runs through the finish line. U8 - U10

R & R - 2 and 5-person R & R teams compete in a precise drill that simulates rescue and resuscitation.  Points are given for incorrect procedures. The team with the least amount of points wins. Combined U11 - U15

March Past - Teams of 12 are judged on their ability to march correctly to a pre-determined drill around the carnival arena.  Points are given for incorrect procedures. The team with the least amount of points wins. Combined U11 - U15

 

U8 - U10 team events can be mixed (male and female)

U11 - U15 team events are single sex (all male or all female)


 


Children are not taught to swim at Nippers.

 We strongly recommend that children attend regular swimming lessons and/or squad sessions.  Pool swimming is essential to develop the strength and confidence that nippers require to negotiate our surf conditions.  While Nippers is not aimed at teaching children how to swim or build up strength, it does provide training on negotiating waves, rips and sweeps and using them to the swimmers’ advantage whether competing or patrolling.

It is expected that children enrolled in our Nippers program are already comfortable swimming in the ocean and can do so with confidence.  Children who swim regularly prove to be the most capable in the surf and ultimately gain the most participating in a Nippers program. We recommend a minimum 1-2 sessions a week for U11’s upwards.

Surf Lifesaving is one of the most cost friendly sporting activities currently available to families.  In order to remain so, it relies on the continued support and voluntary time of our parents and senior members.  Eimeo SLSC - Junior Activities is entirely managed and operated by volunteers.

 At least one parent/guardian per family is required to be a member of the Club to help with Junior Activities (active grandparents most welcome).

 Roles include:

  • Age Manager
  • Assistant Age Managers
  • Activities Supervisor
  • Water Safety Officer (SRC or Bronze Medallion required)
  • Nipper Adult Assistant
  • Carnival Official
  • Carnival Assistant
  • Committee member
  • Fundraising
  • Coach (qualifications required)
  • BBQ helper
  • Beach set up (8am nipper days)
  • Any other help/suggestions

 Some training is required for some of these positions and is provided free of charge however most training is on the job and simply requires dedication, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

 Under the SLSA screening policy all adults who have any contact with nippers must obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card).

 



Nipper achievements and successes are recognised at the Annual Club Presentation night held at the end of the season.

To be eligible for Age Champion, Nippers must have an attendance record of 70% minimum.  The Junior Activities Committee select award recipients for all other awards.

All Nippers who successfully complete their Age Awards during the season will receive certificates at the end of the season.

​Age Champions 2022/23 (U8 and above)

Age Champion points are calculated by an accumulation of the following:

  •  Nippers will be awarded 2 points for each Nipper day attendance.  If competing at an SLSQ event when Nippers would normally have been attended, the 2 points will still be awarded.
  • Tri-Series (Eimeo/Mackay/Sarina) & Club Championships – nippers will accumulate points on each individual event.  1st – 6 points, 2nd – 5 points, 3rd – 4 points, 4nd – 3 points, 5th – 2 points, Completion of an event - 1 point.
  • Carnival Days – nippers will accumulate points on each individual event against all other competitors in the race.  1st – 6 points, 2nd – 5 points, 3rd – 4 points, 4th – 3 points, 5th – 2 points, Completion of an event – 1 point.  A nippers 2 best carnivals results will be selected to go towards Age Champs points.  (Carnival List – Magnetic Island, Forrest Beach, North Aussies, North Barrier Branch Champs)

 If, in calculating the Age Champion and Runner-Up Award, there is a tie for a placing, both children will be recognised and share the title equally.

 U14’s must have completed their SRC by 31st December to be eligible for Age Champ in their Age Group.  U15+ need to be current and proficient in their respective awards.  Seniors/Masters Champs will remain unchanged with the competition being held early in the season with a ‘Do or Die/Winner Takes All’ outcome.


The Nipper Facebook group is closed and only current financial members who hold relevant Bluecard, CRYMS and Child Safe checks will be eligible for membership. The current members of this group will be cleaned up on the 1 October each season. 

Photos from nipper days can be shared in the Nipper Facebook group however, we do request that photos are not published publicly without consent of the parents of the children involved. 



Nippers are registered with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) as members of Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club – Junior Activities.

For insurance purposes, and to ensure all adults who assist our children are Blue Card holders, at least one parent must also join the lifesaving club.

Check out our website for current fees and registration forms: www.eimeoslsc.com.au

Chairperson (JAC) – Alecia Malouf

Director of Surf Sports (DOSS) – Ross Armstrong

Water Safety Supervisor – Stewart Richardson

Junior Team Manager – Lauren Armstrong

Nipper Captains

  • Zara Richardson
  • Levi Pembroke

Coaches

  • Board – Ross Armstrong, Assistant - Tess Armstrong
  • Swim – Stewart Richardson,
  • Flags – Ross Gee, Stella Henry
  • Sprints – Adam Richard

Age Managers

U6 –

U7 – Harriet McLennan

U8 – Jared & Tiffany Barrow

U9 – Kerri Barden

U10 – David Dowden           

U11 –

U12 – Chantell Richard                            

U13 – Erin & Roland Henry

Albatross Nippers

Coordinator – Alison Pembroke

Coach – Heath Cruckshank

Water Safety – Jacob Cruckshank, Leo Cruckshank, Jude Lansbury, Oliver Piperone

The process for selecting Nipper Captain - TBC after AGM 2023