Preliminary Evaluations must be completed before starting nippers each year. This is not a proficiency process, but a skills evaluation process to enable clubs to determine the level of water safety required for participants.
All new junior members should be supported by a 1:1 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participant) when completing the evaluation. For all returning members, where knowledge of their ability is known, a 1:5 water safety ratio may be used (refer to SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01a).
Evaluations should be conducted in a low-risk environment. The Risk Rating function of the SLSA Operations App is used to determine the risk level for a location and activity. Further information on using the SLSA Operations App for risk assessments can be found in the Water Safety Risk Assessment User Guide.
It is recommended that a member who is delegated to assess Junior Preliminary Evaluations:
- Has a minimum of two (2) years’ experience as an Age Manager
- Minimum 18 years old
- Holds a proficient Surf Rescue Certificate or proficient Bronze Medallion
- Is approved by their club and noted at a club meeting OR
- None of the above, but a qualified Australian Swimming Coach*
*In instances where evaluations cannot be completed by a SLS member and to increase flexibility for clubs, a qualified and accredited swim coach can complete the evaluation. In this instance, refer to Appendix 4 for a template with the required information for this evaluation.
Below is the national standard for the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation.
Branches and/or clubs may set distances and/or requirements above this standard, yet requirements cannot fall below the national standard. Please ensure that you liaise with your respective Junior Activities Coordinator for confirmation of the specific requirements for your members.
Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation
Stage One: Under 6, Under 7, Under 8
Aquatic Play and Fundamental Aquatic Skills (FAS).
Recommended depth of safe aquatic environment – 1 metre
| Under 6 (DOB 1/10/2019-30/09/2020) | Under 7 (DOB 1/10/2018-30/09/2019) | Under 8 (DOB 1/10/2017–30/09/2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation | Back or front float for a minimum of 5 seconds, recover to stand. | Back or front float for a minimum of 10 seconds, recover to stand. | Back or front float for a minimum of 15 seconds, recover to stand. |
| Submersion | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands |
| Propulsion | From standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide (1-2 metres) & recover to stand. | From standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide (2-3 metres) & recover to stand. | Swim on front any stroke (distance 20 metres) followed by swim underwater (distance 2-3 metres). |
* A child’s age group is determined by their age as of 30 September of that year
Stage Two: Under 9, Under 10, Under 11
Applied Aquatic Skills.
Recommended depth of safe aquatic environment – 1.5 metres
| Under 9 (DOB 1/10/2016–30/09/2017) | Under 10 (DOB 1/10/2015–30/09/2016) | Under 11 (DOB 1/10/2014–30/09/2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for a minimum of 1 minute. | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for a minimum of 1 minute. | Front to back float or back to front float, 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum of 2 mins. |
| Submersion | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. |
| Propulsion | Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 10 metres. | Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 25 metres. | Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 50 metres. |
Stage Three: Under 12, Under 13, Under 14
Junior/trainee lifesaver – pathway to SRC
Recommended depth of safe aquatic environment 1.8 metres
| Under 12 (DOB 1/10/2013–30/09/2014) | Under 13 (DOB 1/10/2012 – 30/09/2013) | Under 14 (SRC) (DOB 1/10/2011 – 30/09/2012) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes. | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes. | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes. |
| Submersion | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, do not recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. |
| Propulsion | Swim on front any stroke for 75 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 50 metres. | Swim on front any stroke for 100 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 50 metres. | wim on front any stroke for 100 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 100 metres. |
Following the 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.
Any child that completes their evaluation competently can progress to water-based junior activities noting a 1:5 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participants). For still water/pool activities or low-risk conditions (which have been ascertained after a risk assessment) the ratio may be expanded to 1:10 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participants) as per SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01a.
A maximum supervision ratio of 1:5 (water safety personnel: activity participants) applies as per SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01a to ensure the evaluations are conducted in a safe aquatic environment.
Post your comment on this topic.