Under 8 to Under 14
Salt/Casuarina Juniors (or nippers) is the membership category available to both boys and girls aged 7 to 13. We also run an education program for children aged between 5 and 6 (See Nippers for 5 and 6 year olds)
From SATURDAY October 12th 2024 through to late-March — Saturdays 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
Sessions include
Nippers can compete in carnivals from the U8 category and above. The focus is on participation and fun, practicing the skills we learn each week at nippers, in a meaningful setting. Carnival participation is part of the education program and we encourage everything to have a go and have some fun.
Our specialist coaches provide a solid platform for children to develop and compete to the highest level of their ability.
See the Junior Sports page for carnival details
Many activities that will be completed by children as part of Junior Activities will be conducted in the water. To ensure that all children have a suitable swimming ability to allow them to participate in these activities, SLSA has developed a Junior Preliminary Evaluation for each age group. See FactSheet for more info
Every junior member is required to participate in this evaluation prior to any water-based activities being undertaken. This should not be a scary thing and no one is forced in to it until they are ready. It is used by clubs to gauge what level of water skills each child has. We adjust our water safety ratios to accommodate the skill level. No one fails, we just keep practicing until the evaluation is able to be completed.
Note: It is not an assessment which if not completed competently precludes the child from becoming a member or continuing with junior surf education or training activities. Any child that does not meet the required evaluation level will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water-based activities at the discretion of the club. Refer to SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01a.
|
AGE GROUP |
SWIM REQUIREMENT |
FLOAT REQUIREMENT |
|
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) |
11/2 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 |
|
Assessors |
Age Manager, Level 1 Coach ,Level 1 Official, Training Officer (SRC/Bronze) |
|
The age group categories listed above have an associated education program which is designed to give children, and also parents, a firm understanding of beach rescues, resuscitation and carnival events, along with preparation for senior level membership - we are training future life savers! We try and keep everyone in their correct age group but we can be flexible in special circumstances.
External Swim Assessment Form (if being evaluated elsewhere - e.g at swimming lessons)
The Age Manager course is open to members 15 years and older and helps to ensure our members have the knowledge and experience to help deliver the nippers program.
Complete the SLSA Age Managers Course online through your Members Area account.
Undertake an on-the-beach technical session with a Salt age manager mentor (or foundation-level coach).
