Nippers

 Meet Junior Activities Co-ordinator

Anthony Cassone better know as ‘Chocko’

Free rashie to all members! Click here for Kirra Nippers Sign On dates. 

Kirra is a club that prides itself on its fun family environment where all the kids get a fair go. Our ratio of Age Managers to children is small, therefore all children get to participate in all activities every Sunday.

The nipper Sunday program begins at 08:30 with sign on ready for a 08:45 start and has the U6-U8, U9-U10, U11-U12 and U13-U14 age groups rotating through Beach, Water 1(Surf Swim skills), Water 2 (Boards) and Awards and Education ‘stations’ in 30 minute blocks. Activities range from body boarding, using soft nipper foamies, hard nipper paddle boards, beach sprints, flags, fun games and activities as well as education on water safety, resuscitation, etc. We finish at 11:00 with a barbecue on the lawns at the front of the club house. U6-U8 age group finish at 10:45 depending on conditions and levels of enthusiasm…

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has a set of competency based awards for each age group. The nipper program aims to teach all the competencies to the juniors over the season so that each nipper receives the award (certificate) applicable to their age group. Our goals are aligned with SLSA Junior development objectives which are;
• To provide the best possible lifesaving experience for all juniors with the view to encouraging long-term active participation.
• To provide opportunities for juniors to participate in and enjoy lifesaving and competition in an aquatic environment by offering a wide variety of activities suited to the skill and maturation levels of all juniors.
• To ensure the juniors are safe on Australia’s beaches through the provision of surf safety education programs.
• To develop a team based philosophy encompassing leadership, camaraderie, teamwork, and fun.
• To promote social, emotional and physical growth and development in a healthy and safe environment.
For more information about the SLSA Nipper program, click here…

Costs

$60 per nipper (U8 to U14)

$60 per nipper parent for associate membership. (At least 1 parent must also become an associate member, this gives automatic membership to the supporters club.)

$50 per nipper (Green caps – U6 & U7)
$200.00 per family (Family of 4, must be living in same household, additional $50 for each additional nipper) 

All nipper parents must also apply for the ‘Working with Children Blue Card’. All forms are lodged by the club on your behalf. There is no cost involved.

Age Groups

The minimum age for Junior Activities is 5 years (U/6) up to a maximum age of 13 years (U/14) on a seasonal basis. Age for a season is determined as at midnight on 30 September at the commencement of the season, for example;

A member turns 11 on 20 September, he/she will be registered as an U/12 for the season.
A member turns 11 on 10 October; he/she will be registered as an U/11 for the season.
Note:
1. A child cannot be classed as a member until they turn 5 years old (e.g. a child turns 5 on the 1st November, they cannot join in or partake in any activities until the 1st November.
2. A child who turns 5 after the 30 September in the current season will be required to join as an U6 for the current season and the following season.

Junior Preliminary Assesment (Pool Swim)

All nippers are required to complete Pool Swim competency test prior to participation in water based activities. Pool Swim assessment is performed by club officials at the nipper sign-on days prior to season commencment. The requirements for each age group are;
Under 6 Kick on wall with face in the water, 30 second survival float
Under 7 Torpedo (push off wall) with face in water, 30 second survival float
Under 8 25 metre swim, (any stroke) 1 minute survival float
Under 9 25 metre swim, (any stroke) 1 minute survival float
Under 10 25 metre swim, (freestyle) 1 1/2 minute survival float
Under 11 50 metre swim, (freestyle) 2 minute survival float
Under 12 100 metre swim, (freestyle) 2 minute survival float
Under 13 150 metre swim, (freestyle) 3 minute survival float
Under 14 200 metre swim, (freestyle, in less than 5 minutes) 3 minute survival float

Pool Swim Assessment form can be downloaded via the following link;
  Pool Swim Assessment Form.pdf (4KB)