Junior members who wish to compete at junior and youth/senior carnivals are required to complete a competition skills evaluation. Please note this includes U13’s and U14’s who are competing at the senior carnivals.
From the age of 8 (Under 9), junior members can begin to compete in swimming and board events at junior carnivals. To ensure that all juniors have the ability, strength and fitness required to complete the course they must pass the competition skills evaluation specific for their age group.
The competition skills evaluation is based on the swim competition distances as set out in the Surf Sports Manual for that age group.
The evaluation is to be carried out in an open water environment with the correct ratio of qualified and proficient water safety personnel (1:5) and involves a continuous effort of swimming (freestyle) around the course.
Consideration of the conditions and swell size needs to be taken into consideration when conducting the competition skills evaluation timed swims – there should be a focus on nippers completing the swim continuously (e.g., no rest breaks).
Assessors of competition evaluations include:
- LSV accredited foundation, development, or performance coach
- LSV accredited core, technical or senior official
- LSV accredited training officer (SRC/Bronze), assessor (SRC/Bronze),
- LSV accredited age manager mentor
Table of Competition Skills Assessment Requirements
| Age Group | Competition Skills Evaluation (surf/ open water) |
|---|---|
| Under 8 | No competition evaluation swim needed or required |
| Under 9 | 150 metre open water swim within 12 minutes – continuous freestyle |
| Under 10 | 150 metre open water swim within 11 minutes – continuous freestyle |
| Under 11 | 288 metre open water swim within 12 minutes – continuous freestyle |
| Under 12 | 288 metre open water swim within 10 minutes – continuous freestyle |
| Under 14 | 288 metre open water swim within 9 minutes – continuous freestyle |
| Under 15 | 288 metre open water swim within 9 minutes – continuous freestyle |
Competition Evaluation Proficiency Processing
Once the competition evaluations have been completed, it is required to process these via the Nipper Admin App to confirm the Nipper is proficient.
Competition evaluations can also be processed by Surfguard i.e., for juniors who are competing up an age group in carnivals.
- Nipper Admin App Instructions for Junior Activities Competition Evaluation
- Surfguard Entry for Junior Activities Competition Evaluation
Please note: both the preliminary assessment and competition evaluation proficiencies need to be processed in order for Nippers to be eligible to enter aquatic sport carnivals.
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