Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance

SLSLE was founded in 1956 and is located at the end of the footbridge opposite Myer St in Lakes Entrance. It currently has over 400 members and patrols the beach from November through to Easter. The club is proud to see Stage 2 of the club house extension started and will be operational by the start of the season 2010/2011. Members are not only active on patrols, but are keen to show off their skills in competitions.

The club is very keen to promote a safe and friendly environment for all the members and visitors to its beaches.

Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance

P.O. Box 158 Lakes Entrance 3909

Ph. 51551333

www.lakesentrancesurflifesaving.org.au

Philosophy

The club aims to develop each child's potential and whilst winning competitions is great, we are far more interested in helping a child to build their confidence, give something new a go and expand their abilities in the surf. We value good sportsmanship, the ability to work in a team and have fun with each other. We do not believe in forcing any child to do something they are uncomfortable with, but we will support and encourage them.

Nipper Program

Contacts:

Nippers/Junior coordinators:                                                                                         

Chris Taylor - Mobile: 0457 930099  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Stuart Durham - Mobile: 0428 881230  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Emily Durham - Mobile: 0407 270376  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mick Collins

*For Nippers Diary, please see bottom of page.

Prerequisites

Each year SLSLE commences the season with a number of pool sessions at the Lakes Aquadome. Each child must pass a proficiency test in the pool sessions at the beginning of each season. The test are as follows-

· 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) 1.5 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 under 5 mins) 3 minute survival float

Sunday Mornings

A typical Sunday morning starts at 9:45 am for a 10:00 am start at the clubhouse. The session normally finishes about 12:00 pm with a BBQ at 12:15 pm (gold coin donation). All nippers are required to assemble in the compound in front of the club to be marked off by the Age Managers. Here they will meet under their age group coloured flag. There is normally some information to be delivered by the Nipper Coordinator to explain what is coming up in the near future. Nippers are always on despite any weather conditions, and they are expected to bring appropriate clothing for hot and cold conditions.

Once they are marked off by the Age Manager, they will then be taken to the first of the skill drills. These drills include swimming, beach events (flags & sprints), wading, boards and theory with each session lasting about 25 minutes. After the sessions there is the BBQ. This is a chance for everyone involved during the day to get together and enjoy the facilities.

Each Sunday nippers are required to bring:

· Nippers cap

· Sunscreen/hat

· Change of clothes(warm & cold)

· Wetsuit (advisable)

· Bathers (Speedos for the boys & no bikinis for the girls)

· Rashie

· Towel

· Drink bottle (water is also supplied)

· Parent/Guardian

· SMILE

Age Managers

· Age Managers are vital to the running of Nippers

· Are the first port of call for all the Nippers

· They keep the children together as a group and accounted for

· Make sure they are hydrated

· Any concerns are initially dealt with by the Age Managers

· All children are to let the Age Manager know if they have to leave the beach for whatever reason

Cost

Membership :

· $80 per nipper

· $50 for an associate (adults not actively involved with the club but needing insurance coverage and the use of clubhouse facilities

· $220 Family Membership

Ways to Participate

We need adults to help with beach games, cleaning, cooking the BBQ and equipment maintenance. We also need them to act as first aid instructors, water safety officers, age managers, event managers and as committee members. All parents are also expected to assist with nippers fundraising activities.

When we are away at carnivals, SLSLE are expected to help as line judges or officials. There is also the need to help set up and pack up after carnivals, at home or away. The more parents who help out, the easier it is.

As you can see, nippers cannot run without the parents support.

Age Group Colours

Each age group is identified with a coloured flag. These flags are easily recognized on the beach during the Sunday morning session. The same coloured flags are used at the State Carnivals for each age group.

· Under 8 - Red

· Under 9 - Purple/Maroon

· Under 10 - Yellow

· Under 11 - White

· Under 12 - Navy Blue

· Under 13 - Green

· Under 14 - Black

Surf Education

The Surf Education program is an important component to the nipper program. It provides the theory side to what the nippers learn in the water. It will include surf awareness, first aid and CPR. Each nipper is required to complete this side of the program and will receive a certificate at the end of the season.

· Under 8 Surf Aware One

· Under 9 Surf Aware Two

· Under 10 Surf Safe One

· Under 11 Surf Safe Two

· Under 12 Surf Smart One

· Under 13 Surf Smart Two

· Under 14 Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)

S-Badge

The S badge is a swimming ability test that allows you to compete in carnivals for the coming season. It demonstrates that you are able to swim a prescribed distance in the surf for your age group. The S badge is placed on your left hip of your bathers at carnivals. Nippers are tested during the first few weeks of December and is a Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) requirement for competitions.

· Under 8 Run – Wade – Run (50m – 50m – 50m)

· Under 9 Run – Swim – Run (150m open water swim)

· Under 10 Run – Swim – Run (150m open water swim)

· Under 11 Run – Swim – Run (288m open water swim)

· Under 12 Run – Swim – Run (288m open water swim)

· Under 13 Run – Swim – Run (288m open water swim)

· Under 14 Run – Swim – Run (288m open water swim

*Conditions determine distance. May be completed in lake.

Age Groups

Age Groups by Date of Birth:

· Under 8 1 October 02 to 30 September 03

· Under 9 1 October 01 to 30 September 02

· Under 10 1 October 00 to 30 September 01

· Under 11 1 October 99 to 30 September 00

· Under 12 1 October 98 to 30 September 99

· Under 13 1 October 97 to 30 September 98

· Under 14 1 October 96 to 30 September 97

Uniform

Each child is required to wear the club uniform when competing – bathers, rashie and cap, available from the club. Please contact Kris Cordery 51565607 to arrange size and purchase. Windcheaters, track pants and jackets are available from the club but are not compulsory. Club uniform is not compulsory on a Sunday morning nipper session but is recommended. Board shorts for boys/girls and bikinis for girls are not allowed.

Equipment

Care of the equipment is paramount. Equipment is expensive to purchase and repair so therefore critical that any training gear is handled with care. All equipment after a nippers session is to be washed and cleaned before anyone has a shower. It is not the responsibility of the parents to put this gear away. Any damage to equipment must be reported to the Gear Steward, Age Manager or Coordinator as soon as possible. SLSLE accepts that accidental damage can occur in the surf. Some racing mals are only to be used for supervised training and carnivals and are locked away. All younger nippers are encouraged to use the foam boards ( G boards).

Safety

Each age group has an Age Manager to supervise and assist the children. The water conditions continually monitored and if they are considered unsafe at any stage, the activities are either moved to the lake or only beach activities are undertaken. In the water we have a minimum ratio of 1 Water Safety Officer to every 5 children. No child will ever be forced into the water against their wishes. No nipper will be allowed to undertake any water activities without a club cap. This allows quick and easy identification of your nipper by Water Safety Officer. There are no exceptions to this rule.

In case of an accident the club has first aid facilities and all Water Safety Officers will have their Bronze Medallion or SRC and are suitably qualified. The program will be modified if insufficient numbers are available to participate with water safety. Water Safety Officers stand out on the beach and in the water as they wear orange caps and orange rashies. Their time is logged on at the start of the nipper session and will be added to their patrol hours.

Safety of the nippers is paramount and will always be our first priority.

Nipper Events

Beach Events :

· BEACH SPRINTS - running over a distance up to 70m depending on the age group.

· FLAGS – sprinting a short distance after lying on their stomach to compete for hoses in the sand

· BEACH RELAYS – normally in groups of 4, same as sprints

· LONG RUN – suitable for the age group

Water Events :

· SWIM – swimming a course/distance suitable for the age group

· BOARD – paddling on a nipper board around a course or practice catching waves

· IRON NIPPER – swim/run/board/run over a specified distance for the age group

· CAMERON RELAY – team event comprising of 4 members, 1 swimmer, 2 runners and 1 board

· BOARD RESCUE – 2 person event, one swimmer and one paddler. Patient swims to cans (buoys) and waves to the board paddler to rescue and both return to shore on the board

· BOARD RELAY – team of 3 complete a relay race around the cans

· SURF TEAMS RACE – team of 4 compete, same as individual swim race

· WADE – individual or teams vent running in the water at about knee to waist deep

Training and Coaching

Extra training and coaching is provided for nippers interested in competing at carnivals. This is available for any child for any event. Training is normally held before the Sunday morning session and on a Thursday night (can change due to demand). These sessions are skill and fitness based but the emphasis is on fun. Confidence in the surf will come with extra training. This training also includes R&R.

Carnivals

There is normally 3 local carnivals for the season. One at Lakes Entrance, Seaspray and Woodside. Eastern Regional carnivals are held once a year at a Gippsland club and some events such as the Iron Nipper are prerequisites for the State Titles. Under 8 cannot compete at the State Titles but they can compete in a higher age group if numbers allow. The emphasis for these local carnivals is to join in and have a go and is a great way to meet members from other clubs.

Seaspray Surf Club – Foreshore Rd Seaspray 51464231 Vic Roads Map Ref 691 S11

Woodside Surf Club – Ben Rendell Drive Woodside 51871246 Vic Roads Map Ref 104 J2

Dates for carnivals will be provided during the season.

Working With Children (WWC)

Every adult 18 years or over involved with children at our club must hold a Working With Children Certificate/Card. Information and application forms can be obtained at the Post Office and is free of charge for volunteer organisations. This is a SLSLE and Life Saving Victoria Policy.

Age Champions

To be awarded to each gender in each age group and competition is held over 3 rounds (weekends) with points in individual events.

· Swim

· Board

· Beach

Encouragement Award

Greg and Sue Ogelsby Encouragement Award

This award is presented to the nipper who has shown a great commitment to the program and is recognised by their peers over the season. It is not necessarily awarded to the best athlete, but the person who shows good sportsmanship and pushes their abilities to the limit. Named after Greg and Sue Oglesby who are Life Members and have dedicated many years to the nipper program, setting the standards of where we are today.

Rules :

Please be on time.

· Good sportsmanship and team spirit must be displayed at all times.

· Bullying, derogative comments and unsporting behaviour is OUT. SLSLE has a zero tolerance on this.

· Children must report to their age manager at the beginning of each session and they must inform their age manager if they leave the group at anytime and for any reason.

· The children are expected to pack up the gear.

· A parent or a nominated adult is required to remain at the pool and on the beach during the entire nippers session.

· No smoking is permitted in the club or anywhere near the children during the nippers session.

· All members over the age of 18 must obtain a Working With Children Certificate. The forms are available from the Post Office and there is no cost.

· This is a non profit club and all parents are expected to participate in the running of the program and fundraising activities.

· Club caps are mandatory and are the responsibility of the nipper. It is recommended that your name is placed on the cap in case it is lost.

· There is a cost for replacement caps of $10.

Where Next ?

Children who are keen on the competition aspect of nippers can go on to compete in Regional and State competitions. After the age of 14, children can join the YIPS program (Youth Involvement Program) and go on to complete their Surf Rescue Certificate and then their Bronze Medallion to qualify as lifesavers. There are also competitions available for all age groups. As well as lifesaving, the clubs requires people with a variety of skills from equipment and clubhouse maintenance through to publicity, record keeping, instructing groups and manning the bar, so there are many ways for people to stay involved with the club. For many, the surf club is a family activity and many parents appreciate that their teenagers can spend their summers having a good time with friends but also doing something usefull and where there are adult club members around if needed. It has also been noted that some potential employers find a commitment to the lifesaving club worthy of note as it demonstrates responsibility, willingness to help within the community, team spirit and skills such as first aid.

Grievance Policy

The club has 2 Member Delegates, David Richardson and Tracy Brazier, that will be able to assist members if a matter arises. This will be dealt with under the clubs grievance policy with confidentiality.

Contacts :

Nippers/Junior coordinators:

Chris Taylor - Mobile: 0457 930099  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stuart Durham - Mobile: 0428 881230  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Emily Durham - Mobile: 0407 270376  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mick Collins

Nippers Diary Season 2012-2013

Dates yet to be announced.....