Under 6 and 7
U/6 and U/7 members (the green caps) participate in Salt/Casuarina Nipper activities on an educational basis. Their learning is through fun activities and games. Let's face it, the kids love going to the beach so why not have them learn some things along the way.
A child may join Salt/Casuarina Nippers as soon as he/she turns 5 years of age. No club in Australia can accept membership of a child until they have reached the age of 5 years in order to comply with insurance requirements.
* Note: Children must have reached 5 years before they can be registered. They can still start nippers after the season commences, as soon as they turn 5. This is a national standard. Email us to discuss options for 4 year-olds who will turn 5 during the season
Any child who reaches 5 years of age after 30th September may join Nippers at that time for the remainder of the season. This is quite a common occurrence for all age groups, especially with so many new families moving to the local area. Send us an email if you want to ask any questions, but otherwise just come down on a Saturday afternoon and have a look.
Listed below are the age groups that our youngest members will be in for the 2024/25 season if they are born between the following dates:
U/6 - 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2019
U/7 - 1st October 2017 to 30th September 2018
The Under 6s will be working towards their "Surf Play 1" education award. The Under 7 will be working towards the "Surf Play 2" award.
These awards, as well as the U8-U14 awards, will be completed by the 31st December each year. The program follows the education resources that have been developed by Surf Life Saving Australia. If your child has joined the junior program after the 31st December they will still get an award but it will not be available until the completion of the following season (i.e. they will get 2 awards the next year).
A basic water evaluation for the U6/7 age category is a requirement that came in to effect in the 2014/15 season. This is a mandated requirement from Surf Life Saving Australia and will be required to be completed by all clubs. The evaluation will take place in a local swimming pool, so for kids already doing swimming lessons, this will be a breeze. Form to have swim coach evaluation available at this link
|
AGE GROUP |
SWIM REQUIREMENT |
FLOAT REQUIREMENT |
|
Under 6 |
From a standing position in waist deep water perform a front glide and recover to a secure position. |
Perform a back or front float holding a buoyant aid and recover to a secure position. |
|
Under 7 |
From a standing position in waist deep water perform a front glide, kick for 3m and recover to a secure position. |
Perform a back or front float for a few seconds and recover to a secure position |
The above evaluation should not be scary for the children, they can do it when they are ready. The evaluation is for clubs to see how they are in the water so that they can determine their level on confidence and what water safety ratios we will need.
The evaluation does not need to be completed before the start of nippers. The children can still participate in the education program before the assessment is completed. Any child that does not meet the required evaluation will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water based activities at the discretion of the club.
