JUNIOR ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK

Welcome

Marcoola Surf Club is part of a nationwide organisation. Our association’s objectives and aims centre on surf safety ‘to watch over and care for the people who use our beaches’.

Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club is one of 15 clubs on the Sunshine Coast. The Marcoola Junior Activities (also known as ‘nippers’) was first started in 1969. We are a small family orientated club.

This booklet will provide you with the information you will need to know as a parent, or nipper, to make being a part of Marcoola Surf Lifesaving Club a rewarding experience.

Communication is the key to a friendly and efficient club. Please feel free to approach any member of the Junior Activities Committee with any problem, so they can be attended to quickly, or any compliments you may have. Feel free to come forward with any ideas you have, and if you wish to help out, please let us know.

Remember we are all volunteers and a friendly word is appreciated.

Club history

The Marcoola Beach Surf Lifesaving Club began on a Sunday morning in 1969 outside the Marcoola beach kiosk. The Marcoola Nipper Club was up and running before the Senior Club patrolled our beach.

Twenty-two members made up the first season squad and they went on to place 3^rd in the March Past at Branch Titles. In addition, they won 11 pennants over three carnivals in their first year. Named the ‘Marcoola Dolphins’ it followed on that the Dolphin became our club emblem and still is to this day.

In 1979 Marcoola formed the first Nipperette Club (girls) on the Sunshine Coast, before females were allowed in the movement. Branch officials were not impressed, and we were severely reprimanded. By 1980 females were admitted to surf lifesaving.

Our first clubhouse was a single storey fibro building completed in 1970. With the growth of the area and influx of ex-nippers moving into senior ranks, this building was demolished and our present 2storey building was completed in 1984 (with a couple more extensions since then).

Today Marcoola SLSC has more than 74 active senior members, 17 active junior members, 33 award members, 156 associate members, 14 junior, 13 cadet, 20 life and 122 nipper members. Along with more than 2000 supporter club members, all making a part of our Surf Club’s history.

So take the time to inspect our honour and photo boards upstairs in the clubhouse, and you will see just a small portion of people who have made Marcoola SLSC what it is today.

Nipper program

‘Nippers’ is an activity-based program run to educate young children about surf safety and awareness when visiting our beaches. Children participate in board paddling, surfing, swimming, running, wading and other fun activities and games.

For those nippers interested, the program also introduces the competitive side of surf lifesaving. Children are able to compete in both local and state carnivals representing their club.

While competition is an important part of the nipper program it is not compulsory. The surf awareness and education program is our primary aim.

The nipper program is held during the summer months on Sunday mornings from 7:45am to 10.30am.

All nippers will have to pass a preliminary assessment of a pool swim and survival float before participating in training days.

Refer to the Nipper Calendar for dates of proficiency testing.

Age groups

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Preliminary skills evaluation

The pool evaluation is conducted after the child has signed on as a member and prior to the first day of nippers. If your child has not completed the pool evaluation prior to training days they will not be able to participate.

Pool evaluation

The table below shows times and distances that need to be achieved to pass the pool swim. To pass, children must be able to
swim continuously and unaided within the times and distances shown below. We do not teach children how to swim at nippers.

Competition evaluation

This season, juniors U8-U13 no longer need to complete the competition evaluation (formerly known as the run-swim-run) to
obtain their age award. All children who wish to compete at carnivals in water events must, however, complete the Competition
Evaluation (open water swim as per the distances shown in the following table for that age group).

Age award

Age Award is a theory component of nipper training. Each age group has a separate award to achieve during the season. This is
done with the assistance of age managers and patrol members. All awards need to be completed by 31 December.

Membership

Membership of the Marcoola Surf Club is $160.00 per nipper family (regardless of the number of children participating in nippers). All members must pay club membership fees before participating in any club activities

Parents must join with their children and become what is known as Associate Members. This entitles you to membership of the Marcoola Supporters Club that has a bar and dining facilities with perfect views. Friday night entertainment and regular social events are available.

Newsletters

Newsletters are produced on a regular basis and handed to children on training days. These newsletters will contain information on up coming calendar events for our club including BBQ’s, social activities, mid week training and carnival programs.

If you have any information you would like published in these newsletters contact Brenda Hermann.

Club uniform and swimwear

Marcoola SLSC colours are orange and white. Our swimwear is navy blue. Club uniform must be worn at all training days, carnivals and any other organised activity.

Nipper clothing is available at the surf club at our sign-on days and training days.

Clothing available includes ladies and girls one and two piece swimwear, men and boys racer togs and nipper caps.

Each nippers age group wears a different coloured cap at training days. They keep the same coloured cap as they progress to the next age group each year. The cap is reversible with club colours for carnivals.

Club shirts, hats and rash shirts are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. A minimum order of 20 is required. Delivery takes approximately three weeks.

For longer lasting swimwear hand wash in cold water and dry in shade.

Please name all clothing so it can be returned to the owner.

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Clothing price list*

* Price List Current September 2010 (All clothing prices include GST)
Prices subject to change as new stock is purchased.

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Training days

Training days aim to develop skills children need to become future Marcoola lifesavers. Nipper training days are held Sunday mornings starting at 7:45am sharp and finishing around 10.30am. Nippers assemble with their age manager under the tent prior to 7:45am. They need to have applied sunscreen and bring their cap, a towel and water bottle.

All nippers must wear their nipper cap to participate in nipper training. Caps are to be removed when the child has been told by their age manager that training has finished.

Parents must sign each child on at the start of each session, and sign them off when they are collected at the end of nippers.

Nippers are expected to adhere to our behavioural guidelines and may be asked to leave the training session if they do not.

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Parent help

Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in nippers. Your son or daughter will be thrilled to go to training each week knowing that mum or dad will be there as well.

Our club realises that not all parents have a background of surf knowledge. There are several avenues open to parents:

* Our club offers courses to parents to become accredited coaches, age managers or officials (for carnivals).

+ We are required to provide one water safety officer for every five nippers in the water. The club runs bronze medallion courses throughout the season if you are interested in water safety or patrolling our beaches.

If you are interested in helping out in any way just ask any committee member. Please remember all nipper helpers are volunteers so your help, be it big or small, is always appreciated.

Parents are reminded that this is not a child minding service. Parents are required to be on the beach AT ALL TIMES while their child is participating in nipper training

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Points days

Points days are held throughout the season. These days will be held during the year when conditions are suitable. They are run in carnival format with water and beach events. Points allocated on these days will be added to attendance points gained by attending training days. The aim of the points system is to develop and foster Surf Life Saving skills and reward participation.

Points are accumulated through the season to determine trophy winners for presentation day. Points days are held at the discretion of the Patrol Captain and Junior Activities Chairman and may be rescheduled if conditions require.

Presentation day

Presentation Day heralds the end of the season for our nippers. This occasion recognises the efforts the children have put in during the season. Each child will receive a trophy or medallion and a certificate that recognises the completion of the Junior Surf Education Program and the Preliminary Assessment and Competency Test.

Additional trophies are awarded per age group for the best performances on points days and attendance at training.

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Junior activities committee

A subcommittee of Marcoola Surf Lifesaving Club, the Junior Activities Committee (JAC) is responsible for conducting the nipper program. Membership is comprised of current financial members endorsed by the club’s Management Committee. Any nipper parents are welcome to attend JAC meetings.

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Age managers and assistants

This is only a draft calendar. Times and dates may change.

Carnivals

The Sunshine Coast Branch conducts Junior carnivals throughout the season. Carnivals are not compulsory and is up to the nipper if they wish to compete.

Usually separate carnivals are run for the u8-u10 age groups and u11-u14 age groups. Some carnivals are for team events only while others have events for individuals. u8s-u10s carnivals are a non competitive format where placings are not awarded and all competitors receive a participation certificate.

Nippers wear their club togs and caps. Before a nipper can compete at carnivals they must have passed their run-swim-run.

The club is required to supply officials and water safety officers for carnivals. Qualifications are needed to perform these roles. If we do not have enough officials or water safety officers, our club may be withdrawn from the carnival.

Parents of all competing nippers are expected to help with the carnival, whether it be as an official, water safety officer or in another role.

For more information, refer to our Nippers Competitor’s Handbook.

Boards and gear

Any use of Junior Activities gear must be arranged through the Chairman. This means ALL gear from tent pegs to rescue boards.

Training and competition equipment is expensive both to purchase and to repair. It is important that these items are handled and cared for correctly.

Boards should be carried, not dragged, and should be laid fin up on the sand gently. They should not be sat on. Foam boards are for U8, U9 and U10s only. Fibreglass boards are for u11, u12, u13 and u14s.

When you have finished using a board, wash off all sand and put it away.

All damages must be reported immediately to the gear steward or age manager.

Members who mistreat boards will not be allowed to use them until they can demonstrate appropriate conduct and may be asked to contribute towards the cost of repairs.

1. Report to your age manager before the start of training and carnivals.
2. Do not leave the training area or carnival tent without your age manager’s permission.
3. Always wear your cap at club training and when competing in carnivals.
4. All gear must be washed down and returned to the storage area after use.
5. Club boards must not be used without permission.
6. Use sunscreen and have a water bottle during training.
7. Remember you are a Marcoola team member.
8. Learn and practice the lifesaving skills that your age manager will help you achieve.
9. Always help out other team members.
10. Always be polite and respect other members of your club and in your team.

Behaviour management

Marcoola Nippers recognises that every person involved in surf life saving needs to be treated with respect and dignity, in a safe and supportive environment. Marcoola Nippers has a number of guidelines, policies and resources to assist members in maintaining a safe and nurturing environment:

Working with children: Blue card

Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club is committed to the health, safety and well being of all its members and is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for participants in surf life saving activities.

The Queensland government has made it mandatory for all organisations to screen people wishing to be involved with children/ youth activities.

All parents of nippers MUST obtain a blue card. The Working with Children check is free for all parents/guardians and application forms are available from the registrar at sign on and Sunday nipper sessions, or from the Club Administrator during business hours.

Renewal of Blue Cards must be returned via the club to allow registration on the Surf Life Saving database.

SLSA Codes of conduct

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Marcoola Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc

64 - 76 Marcoola Esplanade, Marcoola. 4564
www.marcoolaslsc.com.au
administrator@marcoolaslsc.com.au
Ph 5448 7311
Fax 5448 9321