Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation take place?
These can take place in the ocean, rock pool, or local indoor/outdoor swimming pool.

2. Why do we do Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluations?
To record the baseline level of a child‘s competency in the water before they can commence junior activities. It also assists with determining water safety numbers for Nipper sessions each week.

3. Who can assess the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation?
It is recommended that an 18+ Surf Life Saving member who is approved by their club, has a minimum 2 years’ experience as an Age Manager and holds a proficient SRC/Bronze Medallion, or is a qualified Australian Swimming Coach. Read more about conducting the junior activities preliminary evaluation in the previous section.

4. How does a Swim Coach become endorsed to assess children for their Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation?
There is no need for a Swim Coach to seek endorsement to complete the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation. They must provide their Australian Swimming Teachers and Coaches Associate number, their full name and email address, along with the names of the children that they have assessed. A template form is provided in Appendix 4 for this purpose.

5.Can children move down in Nipper age groups?
Yes, this is permitted however, they must complete the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation and program for this age group. They will also receive the certificate of completion for this age group. E.g., a child who is eligible to be in U9’s, can move down to the U8 age group if they would like to. This child will only complete the U8 Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation and program and, they will receive the U8 certificate of completion. Refer to the Surf Sport Manual – 37th Edition for competition age guides.

6. Can children move up in Nipper age groups?
Yes, however, they can only move up by one age level, and this undertaking requires that the child completes the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation for the age group they are entering. e.g., a child who is eligible to be in U9’s can move up to the U10 age group if they have satisfactorily achieved the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation for the U10‘s age group. Refer to the Surf Sport Manual – 37th Edition for competition age guides.

7.What does reasonable adjustment in Nippers mean?
It means considering the impact of factors that could influence the ability of the nipper to reasonably complete the evaluation, for example:
Environment – swell, wind, waves, temperature, timing.
Solution – deliver assessment in pool, closed water, reschedule, increase the rest time between sessions
Capacity – did many of the nipper’s struggle?
Solution – increase ratios, adjust timing/lengths
Program – was the assessment suitable to run?
Solution – increase ratios, adjust timing/lengths

8.What happens when a child does not pass the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation?
Any child who does not meet the required preliminary evaluation level will require more supervision when involved in water-based activities (at the club’s discretion). E.g., if you have a nipper who doesn’t meet the requirements for the propulsion component of the evaluation, you will need to ensure that this child is provided additional water safety when completing in-water activities. You may also wish to have this child wear a coloured wristband so they can be easily identified. Remember that this is not a Skills Maintenance/Proficiency, but an evaluation of competency. Another option may be to suggest that this child moves down an age group.

9. Can children wear goggles and a wetsuit?
Yes, they can wear a wetsuit and goggles anytime they wish. Please note that during competition, a wetsuit can only be worn if the water temperature drops below 16 degrees. Goggles can be worn in the water at any time. And a high-vis rash vest must always be worn as the outer layer! Refer to the Surf Sport Manual – 37th Edition for further information.

10. How do I become an Age Manager?
Contact your Club Junior Activities Coordinator (JAC) or equivalent to express an interest in becoming an Age Manager. Online learning courses must be undertaken as part of the Age Manager Training through the SLSA e-learning section in the SLS Hub. Read more in the Age Manager Award section above.

11. How do I become an Age Manager Assistant?
Age Manager Assistants are a vital component on the beach in assisting Age Managers each week. They are aged 13-15 years and must complete the online Child Safe Awareness and online component of the Age Manager course.

12. Will my Age Manager and Age Manager Assistant course expire?
Both courses have an annual skills maintenance completed online by watching a video accessible through the SLS Hub (all Age Manager courses are free). Your award will be automatically updated for another 12 months once you watch the video online, and if you watch it face to face as part of a group, this can be arranged to be updated manually by the JAC.

13. Do I need a Working with Children Check if I am working with my own child’s age group?
Possibly! In NSW Working with Children Checks are required for members who work with Children. Refer to the 2025 WWCC Requirements to see if you need a WWCC.