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NIPPERS |
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The Blackhead BHSLSC Junior Activities Committee run the "Nippers" each Sunday at the Blackhead Beach during the summer months between October and March. See our Calendar of Events section Children can join "nippers" at Blackhead BHSLSC from the age of five (5) years and start learning about surf awareness and safety through the "SurfEd" program. Age groups in Surf Life Saving are determined by the age you are on 1st October each year. As they get older they are able to participate in board paddling, surfing, swimming, sprinting, wading and fun activities and games, dependent on their ages and abilities. The emphasis is on having fun whilst developing skills. Practicing these skills helps develop competence and confidence in the surf environment. It also allows children to compete in Club, Regional and State life saving carnivals. Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) also conduct junior development camps in every state as well as the National Junior Surf League & Development Program. Most senior Nippers can undertake a Surf Life Saving Certificate. Probationary surf life savers can achieve this award from the age of 13 years and this helps and prepares them for active patrolling duties BHSLSC. The award trains candidates in rescue skills, first aid and patient management, resuscitation and a theoretical component exploring safety knowledge and surf awareness. The Nipper program is not a learn to swim program and your child (ren) should be confident in swimming in ocean conditions. To give you an idea of the swimming capabilities expected, each child should be able to swim the following distances without stopping and complete a survival float for the time specified. Should you wish to join, come down to BHSLSC, on a Sunday morning. See our Calendar of Events section for pre-season enrolment dates. If you have any further questions email David Johnston. Please register early. SPECIAL NIPPERS The Blackhead Surf Club Nipper Competition Squad under the guidance of its Co-ordinator, David Johnston , consists of the nippers who have a strong desire to both compete in individual and teams competitions at both a local, branch, NSW Country, State or National level.
For the past 3 years, Blackhead Nippers have dominated at the branch level, winning the Junior pointscore trophy for 3 straight years. Although our squad contains some oustanding individuals, it is the strength of our teams accross all age divisions and the dedicated support of our coaches and parents that make this team an oustanding success and the envy of other clubs.
Parents or nippers interested in joining the squad should note that to compete at any carnival, the squad/club must maintain provide competition officials on a 1 official to 7 nipper ratio and a 1 water safety officer to 5 nipper ratio. As such it is a mandated rule and expectation that all parents contribute to these requirements by completing either a simple one day officials course ( Next course set down for 15-11-2008 ) or registers to complete their Bronze medallion so as to provide water safety.
From Wednesday 5-11-08 we will commence board training for any interested nipper @ 5pm at the Shalimar Caravan Park ,where river training for fitness and confidence will be completed by accredited coaches. From December onwards we will transition this training to surf sessions at the club and carry it through until the branch carnival in February. Both Board, swim, beach & flags training sessions will also commence each Sunday before nippers from 8.00 am
For carnival dates please refer to the nipper calendar link and to review our previous results from the 2007/2008 branch Carnival, please use the link to the branch webpage as below.
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